Hardship: Nigeria’s Labour demands of N154,000 new minimum wage

Nigeria’s organised labour has made a fresh demand for a new minimum wage of N154,000, amidst economic hardship and declining living standards.

The demand was put forward by the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC), which is advocating a 120 per cent increase in salaries and allowances for workers in the public service.

In a letter dated March 12, 2026, and addressed to the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, the council described the current economic situation as unbearable for many workers.

According to the union, rising inflation, high fuel prices, and increasing costs of transportation, food, housing, healthcare, and education have significantly eroded the value of workers’ earnings. It noted that many civil servants are now struggling to meet basic needs, leading to low morale and reduced productivity across the public sector.
The letter, jointly signed by JNPSNC National Chairman, Benjamin Anthony, and National Secretary, Olowoyo Gbenga, followed a council meeting held in Abuja. The union stressed that the last salary adjustments no longer reflect current economic realities, describing the situation as one that has pushed workers into what it termed a “life of servitude.”
As part of its proposals, the council urged the government to:
Set a new minimum salary of N154,000 for workers on Grade Level 01 Step 1
Harmonise wages across all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies
Introduce periodic cost-of-living adjustments tied to inflation
Provide welfare support such as subsidised transportation and affordable housing

The union also called for immediate negotiations with relevant government bodies, including the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, to fast-track the review process.

While pushing its demands, the council warned that failure to act promptly could trigger unrest, noting that improving workers’ welfare is not just an economic necessity but also critical for maintaining industrial harmony and efficient public service delivery.
Despite its strong stance, the JNPSNC commended President Bola Tinubu for approving full gratuity payments for retiring federal workers. The council described the move as a positive step toward improving post-service welfare and preventing hardship among retirees.
The union maintained that more decisive action is needed to address the immediate challenges facing serving workers, expressing readiness to engage the government in constructive dialogue to reach a fair and sustainable outcome.