NLC President, Joe Ajaero, made the declaration on Monday at the opening of the 2026 NLC Rain School in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. He told thousands of workers and union leaders that what Nigeria has today is not a living wage, but a “poverty wage.”
According to him, with food prices, rent, school fees and transport costs soaring, ₦70,000 cannot cover even basic survival for an average Nigerian worker and their family.
Ajaero said organized labour is already mobilizing for another round of negotiations with government, and this time, workers will not accept crumbs.
“We are not going to the negotiation table with cap in hand,” he stated. “We are going to demand a wage that can feed a family, pay rent, send children to school, and still leave something for dignity.”
He urged all affiliate unions to remain united and begin grassroots mobilization immediately, warning that the battle ahead will be tough but necessary.
“The era of accepting wages that do not match economic reality is over. Nigerians are suffering and workers cannot continue to bear the brunt alone,” Ajaero added.
Beyond wages, the NLC President also took aim at the Federal Government over what he called a six-year delay in transmitting tripartite-reviewed Labour Bills to the National Assembly.
He described the delay as a deliberate attempt to frustrate labour reforms and weaken workers’ rights.
Ajaero further accused government at various levels of suppressing labour activities while allowing corruption and wasteful spending to continue unchecked.
“While workers are being owed, while salaries cannot buy a bag of rice, public funds are being wasted on projects that add no value to the lives of ordinary Nigerians,” he said.
The labour leader linked workers’ welfare directly to politics, urging Nigerian workers to get more involved ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He said labour must organize not just for wages, but for policies and leaders that prioritize the well-being of the masses.
“If we don’t participate, if we don’t organize, others will decide our future for us,” Ajaero warned. “2027 is not just about voting. It is about workers choosing leaders who will respect labour and protect livelihoods.”
Also speaking at the event, former NLC President, Ayuba Wabba, stressed the need for continuous political education among workers.
He said stronger labour institutions and better awareness will help workers defend their interests in the face of economic hardship and policy changes.
Wabba noted that unions must invest in training, research, and advocacy to remain relevant and effective in protecting workers across both public and private sectors.
The ₦70,000 minimum wage was only recently implemented after months of negotiations in 2024. But with inflation still in double digits and the cost of living rising weekly, many workers say the wage has lost value within months.
The NLC’s declaration signals that another nationwide confrontation with government over pay may be imminent.
Labour leaders say they will be consulting with state councils and civil society groups in the coming weeks to finalize their demands before approaching the Federal Government.
For now, Ajaero’s message to workers was clear: prepare, organize, and get ready for what he called “a crucial struggle for a living wage.”
