News
NLC Agrees to N70,000 Minimum Wage After Fuel Price Rejection
The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, has shed light on why the organized labour eventually accepted the N70,000 minimum wage during negotiations at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Speaking on Arise TV’s Morning Show, Ajaero detailed the events that led to the acceptance of the new wage offer, explaining the complexities involved in the discussions with President Bola Tinubu and his administration.
During the meeting with President Tinubu, the organized labour had initially held firm on a demand for a N250,000 minimum wage, arguing that the growing cost of living necessitated such an increase.
However, the talks stalled when the states expressed their unwillingness to pay even N62,000 as a new minimum wage.
This deadlock led to the meeting with the president himself.
Ajaero explained that President Tinubu sought to address not just the minimum wage issue but also the pricing of petroleum products, which had become a critical national concern since the removal of the fuel subsidy.
Tinubu suggested that in exchange for agreeing to an increase in fuel prices, he would raise the minimum wage to N250,000.
However, the labour leaders declined to engage in discussions about fuel price increases, stating that their mandate was strictly to negotiate wages, not fuel costs.
The president had also referenced the cost of fuel in neighboring West African countries, noting that many of them pay significantly more for petroleum products compared to Nigeria.
He proposed sending the labour leaders on a sponsored trip to these countries to see the pricing differences firsthand.
However, the NLC turned down the offer, stating they were not interested in international comparisons when the issue at hand was about the welfare of Nigerian workers.
During the negotiations, Tinubu reportedly told Ajaero that he was the one “holding my hand from increasing further” the price of petroleum, implying that the government’s preferred approach was to align fuel prices with global rates after the subsidy removal.
Yet, the labour leaders insisted that their primary focus was the welfare of Nigerian workers and that they would not engage in any discussions that included raising fuel prices.
In the meantime, the labour representatives had earlier agreed on an alternative energy source, Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), with the government.
They negotiated with experts who estimated the cost of converting vehicles to CNG at N300,000 per vehicle.
However, when this proposal was presented to government officials, the figure was rejected, and the officials claimed that the conversion would actually cost N800,000 per vehicle, a sum far higher than what the labour leaders had negotiated.
Despite these setbacks, the labour movement decided to accept the N70,000 minimum wage offer. Ajaero emphasized that this decision was reached after careful deliberation and consultation.
The NLC believed that while the N70,000 figure was far below their original demand, it was still a step forward in the ongoing fight for improved worker welfare in Nigeria.
When asked whether the NLC felt betrayed by President Tinubu over his stance on the petrol pump price, Ajaero explained the intricacies of the discussions, stating that the labour movement never agreed to any fuel price hikes.
He clarified that the focus of their talks had always been on minimum wage, and they stood firm on refusing to negotiate any further increases in fuel prices as part of the wage deal.
Ajaero concluded by reaffirming the NLC’s commitment to protecting workers’ rights and ensuring that future negotiations with the government focus solely on improving the welfare of Nigeria’s workforce.
While the NLC ultimately accepted the N70,000 offer, the larger conversation surrounding the fuel subsidy, rising living costs, and government accountability remains an ongoing challenge for the labour movement.
Activist and president of the North Central Youth Council, Sunday Asuku, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to consider replacing Vice President Kashim Shettima with a Christian candidate in the 2027 general election.
In a statement on Monday, Asuku stressed that Tinubu’s choice of vice president could make or break his chances for re-election. He argued that selecting a Christian vice president would not only be symbolic but also a strategic and unifying move for Nigeria’s democracy.
Asuku mentioned that the 2027 elections will be a crucial test of Nigeria’s commitment to unity and inclusivity. He pointed out that the Muslim-Muslim ticket in the 2023 elections created division, and that addressing this imbalance with a Christian running mate would help strengthen national cohesion.
He went on to say that religious balance in leadership is still a vital necessity in Nigeria’s diverse society. “Tinubu has a chance to correct the mistake of 2023 and make a strong statement of inclusion. This opportunity should not be missed,” Asuku said.
The British High Commission in Nigeria has promised to work closely with the federal government once the full details of the UK’s latest immigration reforms are made public. This follows the UK government’s release of a White Paper on Monday, unveiling major changes to its immigration policies.
Some of the proposed reforms include scrapping the social care visa route, extending the path to settlement, reducing the duration of graduate visas, and introducing compulsory English tests for dependents of migrants. Though a specific date for the implementation hasn’t been announced, the British High Commission assured Nigerians that the long-standing relationship between both countries remains strong.
“The UK and Nigeria share deep and historic ties,” the Commission said in a statement. “We value the fact that many Nigerians continue to choose the UK as a place to work, study, visit, and build their lives.” It further explained that the reforms are part of efforts to bring balance, structure, and fairness to the UK’s immigration system, while also aiming to reduce net migration and support economic development.
The Commission also emphasized that these changes would not happen overnight, and stressed that the UK remains open to cooperation with Nigerian authorities as the process unfolds. This comes despite growing concern that countries with high rates of visa overstaying—Nigeria reportedly among them—could face tighter restrictions.
Despite those fears, the British High Commission maintained that the UK values its relationship with Nigeria and remains committed to being an inclusive, outward-facing country that appreciates the value of international talent and diversity.
The Oyo State Voluntary Campaigners (OSVC) have accused Primate Elijah Ayodele of using his so-called prophecies to manipulate politicians for personal financial gain. The group was reacting to Ayodele’s latest prophecy, where he claimed that Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu would not succeed in becoming the Governor of Oyo State in 2027 due to political challenges and rising tension in the state.
According to Ayodele, unrest is building in Oyo, with Muslims preparing for a major political shift and the Oke-Ogun region set to push back against Ibadan’s dominance—making it difficult for Adelabu to win. But OSVC isn’t buying it. In a statement signed by its chairman, Dr. Dele Atiba, the group described the Lagos-based cleric as a spiritual gambler who targets politicians in power with the hope of profiting from them.
They warned that Ayodele’s messages are nothing more than calculated attempts to get the attention of political figures and milk them financially. The group also pointed out inconsistencies in his past prophecies, such as claiming in 2022 that Bola Tinubu would lose the election, only to later endorse him for 2027.
Atiba said if Ayodele continues to spread what they described as blackmail disguised as prophecy, the group would not hesitate to take legal action and expose what they call evidence of manipulation and deceit. He urged the public to be cautious and not fall for what he termed “tricks” disguised as divine messages.
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