NLC Maintains December 1 Deadline for New Minimum Wage Implementation

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has reaffirmed the December 1, 2024, deadline for all states to implement the new minimum wage law, raising the minimum monthly salary from N30,000 to N70,000.

President Bola Tinubu signed the new minimum wage bill into law on July 29, 2024. The NLC mandated all state governments to comply with the new salary structure by November 30, 2024. Over 30 state governors have adopted the new minimum wage, ensuring a baseline salary of N70,000 or above for workers. Zamfara, Sokoto, Cross River, and Nasarawa states, among others, have yet to finalize their implementation plans.

NLC spokesperson Benson Upah reaffirmed the union’s position, stating:  “Majority is not everybody. All states must heed the union’s directive or we’ll carry out our threats.”

The union has warned of indefinite strike actions in states that fail to meet the deadline.

The new wage structure is expected to boost workers’ purchasing power and address inflationary pressures on households.

Non-compliance by some states could lead to widespread industrial actions, disrupting public services.

As the deadline approaches, attention remains on states yet to comply, with potential strikes looming as the NLC prepares to enforce its directive.