Nigerian workers across the country have used the 2025 May Day celebration to call on the government to urgently review the N70,000 minimum wage, saying it is no longer enough due to the rising cost of living.
Leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress from different states said workers are suffering more under President Bola Tinubu’s administration. They blamed the economic hardship on the removal of fuel subsidy and devaluation of the naira.
In Bayelsa, the TUC Chairman, Julius Laye, said the current administration has made life more difficult for workers.
“We are worse off in this administration than we had ever been at any other time,” Laye said. “Even the minimum wage is not enough to cover Medicare. Meanwhile, those in power can afford to travel abroad for treatment.”
From Ebonyi, the NLC Chairman, Prof. Oguguo Egwu, said the celebration theme, *“Reclaiming a civic space amid economic hardship,”* reflected the hard times workers are facing.
“If you look into the face of a typical Nigerian worker, it is filled with wrinkles. It tells the story of deep poverty,” he said.
His TUC counterpart, Comrade Igwe Chidi, added, “The new minimum wage was just implemented but it is no longer significant. If you go to the market, that N70,000 cannot buy you anything.”
In Niger State, TUC Chairman, Ibrahim Gana, said, “The electricity tariff, petrol price, and transportation have taken away the value of the minimum wage. It’s as if we are not even working.”
He blamed the Tinubu-led government for the situation. “Who else is the head of the ruling government? If they had the workers’ interest at heart, they would have done something about the devaluation of the naira,” Gana said.
In Rivers State, NLC Chairman, Alex Agwanwor, said, “Despite the salary increase, workers are still struggling to survive. We haven’t fared better at all.”
He called for an immediate review of the minimum wage, urging employers to improve workers’ welfare.
From Imo, NLC boss, Chigaemezu Nwigwe, said the government promised a living wage but failed to deliver.
“The economy is biting hard. We agreed on a wage based on promises, but now it’s not enough. That’s the plight of every worker,” he said.
In Lagos, NLC Chairperson, Funmi Sessi, described the hardship as the worst in recent times.
“This year, we have witnessed hardship in the civic space like never before. Prices keep rising, and nothing is being done to ease the pain,” she said.
In Ogun, TUC boss, Akeem Lasisi, said, “Some workers earn as little as N30,000 without benefits or medical care. There’s little to celebrate as the new minimum wage is still not enough.”
Oyo State NLC Chairman, Kayode Martins, said workers are facing serious hardship due to poor policies and rising inflation.
“Workers’ purchasing power has been totally reduced. Nigerian workers have now fallen below their counterparts in other African countries,” he said.
In Benue, NLC Chairman, Terungwe Igbe, said, “The prices of goods, especially food items, are way ahead of the salary.”
Edo NLC Chairman, Bernard Egwekhide, agreed that workers have not benefited from the current administration, but noted that the state government has set up a committee to review wages.
Kwara State NLC Chairman, Saheed Olayinka, said they had hoped fuel subsidy removal would bring relief but “the reverse is the case.” TUC boss, AbdulRaman Onikijipa, added, “What is happening to workers is beyond lamentation.”
Meanwhile, Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, said the National Assembly will continue to support workers’ welfare.
“We will not shirk our responsibility to work together with the Executive to address workers’ concerns and create opportunities for growth and prosperity,” he said in a statement.
Akpabio praised workers for their resilience and pledged to ensure their rights and safety are protected.
“Despite obvious challenges, you remain the backbone of our economy. I salute your commitment to productivity,” he said.
While government leaders have promised to support workers, labour unions insist that the current wage no longer reflects Nigeria’s harsh economic reality. They say the time to act is now.
