The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has issued a stern warning to the National Assembly over any plans to transfer labour-related matters, including the national minimum wage, from the Exclusive Legislative List to the Concurrent List. Such a move would empower individual states to determine their own wage structures, a proposal the NLC describes as unconstitutional and regressive.
NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, delivered the warning on Friday during the National Administrative Council (NAC) meeting of the Central Working Committee held in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
Ajaero described the move as “an exercise in futility” and condemned it as a deliberate attempt to dismantle the national labour framework. He stressed that the issue of minimum wage is globally treated as a national obligation under International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions, which apply to sovereign nations and not their sub-national entities.
“The National Assembly should not go into this exercise in futility unless members are ready to allow their respective states to determine their own salaries as lawmakers,” Ajaero said.
He alleged that the proposed amendment is aimed at “bastardising” the minimum wage structure and enabling states to sidestep labour obligations, including the creation of state-controlled industrial courts to handle wage disputes — a move he claims contravenes ILO principles.
Ajaero warned that the labour movement would not hesitate to mobilise its members nationwide to resist the plan, potentially extending protests into the next election period if the lawmakers proceed.
In a follow-up briefing with journalists, the NLC President reiterated organised labour’s unwavering commitment to protecting the minimum wage.
“All over the world, minimum wage exists to safeguard the rights and welfare of workers. In Nigeria, there is already a law stipulating ₦70,000 as the minimum wage. The law does not prevent states from paying more — and many already do — but it should not allow them to pay less,” he said.
He also clarified that the NLC leadership is not aware of any state currently defaulting on the ₦70,000 minimum wage.
On the matter of local government autonomy, Ajaero emphasised the importance of seeking a Supreme Court interpretation to ensure full compliance with constitutional provisions, particularly in enforcing local government independence and resource control.
The NLC, he concluded, remains committed to defending workers’ rights and holding both federal and state governments accountable to fair labour practices.
You can get every of our news as soon as they drop on WhatsApp ...To get all news updates, Join our WhatsApp Group (Click Here)
