“The economy is biting hard on Nigerians, including Imo workers,” said NLC chairman Chigaemezu Nwigwe.
As Nigeria marks 2025 Workers’ Day, labour unions have rejected the N70,000 minimum wage, citing crippling inflation and economic hardship. State chapters of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) say workers are “worse off” under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
In Bayelsa, TUC Chairman Julius Laye said, “Even the minimum wage is not enough to cover Medicare.” Ebonyi NLC chairman, Prof. Oguguo Egwu, described the hardship as “unprecedented.”
Rivers NLC chair, Alex Agwanwor, stressed, “We haven’t fared better at all. Inflation is very high and has impacted heavily on workers’ pay.”
In Niger State, TUC’s Ibrahim Gana said, “You collect your salary as if you didn’t even get it.” Imo NLC boss Chigaemezu Nwigwe added, “The economy is biting hard on Nigerians, including Imo workers.”
Senate President Godswill Akpabio assured workers that the government would “work together” to address concerns and promote growth.