The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have called on the Federal Government to approve a new national minimum wage of N500,000, arguing that the current wage structure no longer reflects Nigeria’s economic realities.

The demand was made on Thursday by the National Deputy President of the NLC and President of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Comrade Audu Titus Amba, during the Nigeria Rights of Workers Summit in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State.

Representing NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, Amba said the lifespan of the current minimum wage agreement had expired in July, making it necessary for organised labour to begin fresh negotiations with the Federal Government.

“We want to enter into another negotiation with the Federal Government to request at least N500,000 to be paid to the nation’s workers as the new minimum wage,” he said.

Amba maintained that any minimum wage below N500,000 would be inadequate to meet the needs of Nigerian workers, citing the rising cost of living and the severe socioeconomic challenges confronting civil servants across the country.

He stressed that the labour unions were not seeking a confrontation with the government but were advocating a review of workers’ salaries to reflect prevailing economic conditions and improve their welfare.

The labour leader commended Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, for creating an enabling environment for the summit, which attracted about 1,000 delegates from across the country.

According to him, participants deliberated on key issues affecting workers and trade union leadership with a view to strengthening the labour movement and advancing workers’ rights.

Declaring the summit open, Governor Idris reminded participants that Kebbi was the first state to implement a N75,000 minimum wage for its workers.

He pledged to present the unions’ demand for a new minimum wage at a meeting of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, expressing support for continued dialogue on improving workers’ welfare.