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Why new Minimum Wage won’t be less than N200,000 per month — NLC President
Against the backdrop of the promise made by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in his New Year address that his administration will implement a “national living wage” this year, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has raised a team to negotiate with the government.
The subsisting minimum wage, negotiated in 2018, expires in April 2024.
Each agreed minimum wage has a five-year lifespan. Therefore, the lifespan of the current national minimum wage will soon be over. Tinubu had said in the address: “The economic aspirations and the material well-being of the poor, the most vulnerable and the working people shall not be neglected.
“It is in this spirit that we are going to implement a new national living wage for our industrious workers this New Year. It is not only good economics to do this, it is also a morally and politically correct thing to do.” In this interview, the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Joe Ajaero, highlights the indices that will be looked at before arriving at an acceptable figure for minimum wage, hinting that the next minimum wage may not be less than N200,000 if Labour has its way. Excerpts:
The current minimum wage will be due for review soon. What is the situation on the setting up of the committee for the exercise?
The committee has not been set up but we have submitted all the names of the labour team. We thought that the government would have, on the first week of December 2023 or the last week of November, constituted the committee but, as of today (last Thursday), the committee has not been constituted. That is the situation but we have submitted the names, of those who are supposed to represent labour in the committee.
During the time Labour and the government entered into a Memorandum of Understanding, there was a time frame for the minimum wage to lapse and a new one to take effect. What happened?
I am sure you have read our New Year message. The government virtually reneged in all the agreements including the N35,000 (petrol subsidy palliative) wage award on which they paid only one month. They are going to start the year with the payment of the arrears. That is where we will start from; we have to start from where we stopped moving forward.
Last time you spoke about the new minimum wage, you analyzed the economic indices and said that the new wage would not be less than N200,000. Do you still maintain that position or is there any change?
Well, I didn’t just say N200,000. I tried to figure out the value of $200 then. So, if you are looking at the constant variables from the point of view of two hundred dollars, you will discover that a dollar is around a thousand two hundred naira now. You have to adjust based on the prevailing circumstances.
Assuming you are meeting with the government, what will be your proposal?
These are some of our strategies, we don’t put our proposal on the pages of newspapers for the other parties to know, but I have given you a hint of what we are looking at. We are going to dust all that we have, it will be public knowledge when it is done; it’s not going to be abortion before pregnancy.
What are the things the Organized Labour would be considering while negotiating for the new minimum wage?
A lot. We have said it before. Cost of living, devaluation of the currency and the labour market vis a vis the countries that share the same value with us: The oil-exporting countries and some other countries that share the same economic indices with us. All those issues must come into play.
Looking at all the indices you have mentioned, what will be the proposal or projection of the NLC?
The projection is what I have told you. I have mentioned it to you. I have mentioned the value of the currency as of today. I mentioned about $200 and the value, we discussed it.
When is the new minimum wage supposed to take effect?
Well, it depends. Maybe it will take effect in April.
Is it the time the lifespan of the current minimum wage will expire?
Exactly
How long does the negotiation between the government and Labour last now that the government has not set up the committee? Do you see the government and Labour arriving at a particular amount before April?
It depends on the seriousness of the government, but negotiations could be concluded within one week.
As of the first of January 2024, available information showed that the government had paid for only one month of the wage award of N35,000. Is there any guarantee that the government will pay any amount higher than the current minimum wage now that the wage award appears problematic?
The issue of wage awards is not problematic. It was not imposed on the government. It was willingly covenanted to but immediately they attacked me, from the Labour circle we don’t know whether it was deliberate, they reneged in almost all the agreements. But now that I am back from the hospital, I am going to take them up. It is an agreement and we have to respect the sanctity of the agreement. So the arrears must be paid. Whatever that might be the circumstances that they didn’t pay, they have to pay and from there, we move on.
Since the Federal Government reneged on the agreements, has Labour reminded the government to find out the reason behind its inability to pay?
Well, the issue of implementation varies. When you talk of Labour, it is wide. Labour includes so many sectors of the economy. Some are paying, some may not be paying. So it depends on the sector, those in the private sector, those in the public sector. There are unions in every sector. So if a union, maybe in the food industries their management is not paying, they must remind them, that it’s not a blanket thing, both private and public.
Maybe by this January, we will look at the whole aspect of it and know the percentage of compliance; it’s not a blanket thing. We are talking of three months now basically for those in the public sector. That is the situation.
Sunday Vanguard
The United States has designated a Nigerian national and three companies operating in the country as alleged financial facilitators of activities linked to the terrorist group, the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria.
They were designated in the latest action, which targeted a total of three individuals and six entities accused of facilitating the movement of funds for ISIS operations globally.
In a statement issued on Monday and sighted on Tuesday, U.S. Department of State spokesperson, Thomas Pigott, said designations cut across France, Syria, Türkiye, and Nigeria.
He described the network as one that enables ISIS to move money across borders.
“Today’s designations target three individuals and six entities operating across Europe, the Middle East, and West Africa who have enabled ISIS to move money across borders — exposing a network that spans from France and Syria to Türkiye and Nigeria.
“Among those designated is a France-based facilitator who provided information concerning the use of explosives to ISIS supporters, a Syria-based operator who used cryptocurrency to transfer funds on behalf of ISIS associates in multiple countries, including the United States, and a Nigeria-based facilitator whose money exchange businesses served as conduits for ISIS financing,” the statement added.
In a further update released on Monday, the US released the identities of the three persons and six companies designated.
Apart from the Nigerian national, three of the six designated companies are also from Nigeria, two from Lagos State and one from Kano.
Full List of Specially Designated Nationals (SDN)
ABDELHAKIM, Boukich (a.k.a. “ALHOLANDI, Abu Sulayman”; “BABILI, Muhammad”); Syria; DOB 15 Dec 1993 (alt. 01 Jan 1991); POB The Hague, Netherlands (alt. Aleppo, Syria); nationality Netherlands; male; National ID No. 02040063438 (Syria) [SDGT] (Linked To: ISIS).
ABDERRAHMANE, Miloud (a.k.a. “GHAZI, Ibrahim”); France; DOB Aug 1992; nationality/citizenship France; male; Digital Currency Addresses: TRX TBXMiRqUp1XH1zLazWu8cWitMAScv4HsYq; TRX TDFj8tYzfLDkwEMo4MJ2DfrbpMztuCCnan [SDGT] (Linked To: ISIS).
MUHAMMAD, Mukhtar Adamu (a.k.a. ADAMU, Mukhtar; MUKHTAR, Muhammad); No. 45 Abimbola Street, off Capital Road, Morcas Agege, Lagos State, Nigeria; DOB 02 Aug 1990 (alt. 03 Aug 1990); nationality Nigeria; male; Passport Nos. A11904741; A07422697 [SDGT] (Linked To: ISIS-WEST AFRICA).
ALKARAM DANISMANLIK GAYRIMENKUL IC VE DIS GENEL TICARET LIMITED SIRKETI (a.k.a. AL-KARAM COMPANY; AL-KARAM MONEY TRANSFER COMPANY; SPIDER COMPANY ISTANBUL EXCHANGE RATES); Fatih, Istanbul, Türkiye; [SDGT] (Linked To: ISIS).
BITCOIN EXCHANGE AGENT IDLIB’S NO.1 COIN EXCHANGE (a.k.a. IDLIB NO 1 BTC; NO.1 BITCOIN EXCHANGE AGENT; BITCOIN XCHANGE); Idlib, Salqin, Darkush, Sarmada, Syria; [SDGT] (Linked To: ISIS).
GENERATION CURRENCY BUREAU DE CHANGE LIMITED; Lagos, Nigeria; RC 1555604; [SDGT] (Linked To: Mukhtar Adamu / ISIS network).
MANHATTAN BUREAU DE CHANGE LIMITED; No. 59 Murtala Mohammed Way, Wapa, Kano, Nigeria; RC 1763824; [SDGT] (Linked To: Mukhtar Adamu / ISIS network).
NINE TO NINE EXCHANGE BUREAU DE CHANGE LIMITED; Ikeja, Lagos State, Nigeria; RC 1462752; [SDGT] (Linked To: Mukhtar Adamu / ISIS network).
SPIDER GAYRIMENKUL VE GENEL TICARET LIMITED SIRKETI (a.k.a. SPIDER MONEY TRANSFER COMPANY; SPIDER TICARET); Istanbul, Türkiye; [SDGT] (Linked To: ISIS).
The U.S. reaffirmed its “strong partnership with Nigeria,” which joined the United States in the May 16, 2026, operation that resulted in the killing of Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, described as the number two official in ISIS.
Pigott said the United States would continue to apply diplomatic and legal measures against ISIS and its supporters worldwide.
“We will continue to use every diplomatic and legal tool available to hold ISIS and its supporters accountable — wherever they operate and however they move money. We remain fully committed to protecting American lives, defending religious minorities, and working with international partners to eliminate the threat that ISIS poses to global peace and security,” he said.
The action, according to the statement, was taken under Executive Order 13224, as amended.
It also noted that ISIS, formerly known as al-Qa’ida in Iraq, was designated a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) organisation in 2004. (PUNCH)
Alhaji Muhammadu Mai Barga Besse [Right], former Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Koko/Besse Local Government Area of Kebbi State, died while in kidnappers’ den
Alhaji Muhammadu Mai Barga Besse, the immediate past Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Koko/Besse Local Government Area of Kebbi State, has tragically died while in captivity after being abducted by bandits earlier in June 2026.
He was held alongside another captive, identified as Yahya, in the notorious Birnin Gwari forest in North-West Nigeria—a region long plagued by banditry and violent criminal activity.
A disturbing video circulated widely on social media showed Besse and Yahya pleading desperately for help.
In the footage, Besse confirmed his past role as APC Chairman but clarified that he no longer held the position.
Both men appeared visibly frail and weak, lamenting their deteriorating health conditions.
They appealed to relatives, community leaders, and government authorities to intervene and secure their release.
The video sparked outrage and sympathy across Nigeria, drawing attention to the vulnerability of even prominent figures in the face of unchecked banditry.
On June 23, 2026, reports confirmed that both captives—Besse and Yahya—had died in the kidnappers’ den.
Their deaths have left families, political associates, and the wider community devastated.
The incident has reignited debates about the government’s handling of security in Kebbi State and across Nigeria’s North-West.
The tragedy underscores the deepening insecurity in Nigeria’s North-West, where bandit groups continue to terrorize communities through abductions, extortion, and killings.
It highlights the failure of negotiation and ransom-driven approaches, which often embolden criminal gangs rather than deter them.
Analysts warn that the incident is a stark reminder of the urgent need for comprehensive security reforms, stronger intelligence gathering, and coordinated military action.
Community leaders have called for decisive government intervention.
They stressed that the persistence of such crimes erodes public trust in governance and threatens national stability.
A Kebbi State official expressed grief in a heartfelt statement:
“I have received the heartbreaking news that one of the victims abducted by bandits, a former APC Chairman of Koko/Besse Local Government, has sadly passed away while in the hands of his captors.
“I extend my deepest condolences to his family, relatives, friends, and all those affected by this painful loss.
“May Almighty Allah forgive his shortcomings, shower His infinite mercy upon him, and grant him Aljannatul Firdaus.
“May Allah also comfort his family and grant them the strength to bear this difficult loss.”
The official further prayed for an end to the persistent insecurity troubling Kebbi State and Nigeria as a whole.
He urged for lasting peace, safety, and stability in affected communities.
The death of Alhaji Muhammadu Mai Barga Besse and his associate Yahya in captivity has sparked outrage and renewed calls for urgent solutions to Nigeria’s worsening insecurity.
Their passing is a grim reminder of the human toll of banditry, the fragility of life under such conditions, and the pressing need for decisive action to restore peace and stability in Kebbi State and across Nigeria.
…Rain Oil leads cuts with N18/litre reduction
…Diesel prices crash by up to N70/litre
Depot prices of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, eased across several terminals in Lagos yesterday as petroleum marketers adjusted prices amid shifting supply dynamics in Nigeria’s downstream oil market.
The latest market data showed a broad-based decline in Lagos, with most major depots reducing their ex-depot prices by between N1 and N18 per litre, while diesel prices recorded even steeper reductions in some locations.
The price movement comes as competition among petroleum product suppliers continues to influence market pricing, particularly with increased domestic refining capacity.
The Dangote Refinery remained relatively stable, with its Lagos PMS price inching up marginally from N1,175 per litre to N1,176 per litre, a difference of just N1.
However, several other terminals reduced prices. Rain Oil recorded the biggest cut among Lagos depots, lowering its petrol price by N18 from N1,180 to N1,162 per litre.
A.A Rano also reduced its price from N1,165 to N1,161 per litre, while AIPEC and Bono moved down from N1,165 to N1,160 per litre.
NIPCO cut its PMS price by N4 from N1,165 to N1,161 per litre, while AITEO adjusted slightly downward from N1,161 to N1,160 per litre.
Other terminals including Masters, Matrix, Sigmund and T.S.L also recorded declines, reinforcing the downward trend in the Lagos depot market.
Masters reduced petrol from N1,203 to N1,197 per litre, Matrix moved from N1,205 to N1,197 per litre, while Sigmund and T.S.L adjusted their prices from N1,200 to N1,195 per litre.
Despite the general decline in Lagos, some terminals in other regions recorded increases, reflecting regional supply and logistics differences. In Port Harcourt, Africanterminal raised its PMS price from N1,495 to N1,505 per litre, while Duport increased from N1,490 to N1,505 per litre.
Gulftreasure and T.Time were quoted at N1,505 per litre, while Dangote’s Port Harcourt terminal recorded a slight reduction from N1,501 to N1,500 per litre.
The diesel market recorded a more significant shift, particularly in Port Harcourt, where prices fell sharply at some depots. Matrix reduced automotive gas oil (AGO) from N1,630 to N1,560 per litre, representing a N70 drop, while Sigmund cut its diesel price by N68 from N1,628 to N1,560 per litre.
In Lagos, AGO prices also softened at some terminals, with Matrix reducing diesel from N1,630 to N1,560 per litre, while Sigmund moved from N1,628 to N1,560 per litre.
Meanwhile, Calabar recorded a slight upward movement in petrol prices. Mainland depot increased PMS from N1,187 to N1,190 per litre, while Northwest moved from N1,190 to N1,195 per litre.
The Chief Executive officer, Petroleumprice.com, Olatide Jeremiah, said the latest adjustments highlight the increasingly competitive nature of Nigeria’s petroleum products market, where local refining output, depot inventories and transportation costs continue to determine price movements.
He said: “With more domestic supply entering the market, especially from major refining facilities, marketers are expected to continue reviewing depot prices in response to changing supply conditions.
“The immediate impact on consumers will depend on how quickly the reductions at depot level translate into retail pump prices, as marketers factor in haulage expenses, operating costs and profit margins.” (Vanguard)
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