NLC Plans Protests Over Minimum Wage Non-Compliance

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the country's largest labor union, announced plans for protests on May 1, 2026, against states that are not fully implementing the 2024 National Minimum Wage Act. This act, signed into law by President Bola Tinubu on July 29, 2024, raises the minimum wage from ₦30,000 to ₦70,000.

The NLC condemned several state governments for violating this act by refusing to implement key provisions, including necessary adjustments for senior workers and regular payments under the new wage structure. The protests will occur in public squares, with a memorandum demanding compliance to be submitted to state councils.

The NLC emphasized that failure to comply would result in disciplinary action. The union also highlighted that the current minimum wage is insufficient amid rising inflation, calling for a new minimum wage of ₦154,000 by March 2026 to address the cost of living.