The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has clarified its position on the new minimum wage following President Bola Tinubu’s remarks in his 2024 Democracy Day speech. According to the NLC, no specific figure was agreed upon with the Federal Government and Organised Private Sector (OPS) representatives at the end of the tripartite negotiations.

“Our demand remains N250,000 (two hundred and fifty thousand Naira) only,” the NLC stated, emphasizing that they have not been presented with compelling reasons to alter this stance. They reiterated that accepting a wage that equates to a starvation wage is unacceptable for Nigerian workers.

The NLC, in a statement signed by its Acting President, Prince Adewale Adeyanju, expressed surprise at the President’s comments, suggesting that he may have been misinformed about the negotiation outcomes. They stressed that no agreement was reached on the minimum wage figure or its components.

During his speech, President Tinubu stated, “As we continue to reform the economy, I shall always listen to the people and will never turn my back on you. In this spirit, we have negotiated in good faith and with open arms with organized labour on a new national minimum wage. We shall soon send an executive bill to the National Assembly to enshrine what has been agreed upon as part of our law for the next five years or less.”

The NLC, however, noted that they expected the President to harmonize the figures submitted by the Tripartite Committee in favor of workers and the masses. They also expressed disappointment that the President’s advisers did not accurately inform him about the negotiations, leading to a misunderstanding.

The NLC reaffirmed their belief that President Tinubu, whose table now holds the Tripartite Committee’s report, will prepare an Executive Bill that truly reflects the demands of Nigerian workers. They urged the President to disregard advice from those intent on harming the interests of the poor and struggling workers of Nigeria.

The statement also highlighted that trade union leaders faced intimidation and harassment during the negotiations, contrary to the government’s assurances. The NLC remains hopeful that the President’s democratic credentials will favor Nigerian workers and the masses.

In conclusion, the NLC emphasized the need for justice, equity, and fairness for all Nigerians and urged President Tinubu to demonstrate his commitment to a living wage for Nigerian workers.