The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, has said that tackling Nigeria’s rising cost of living and strengthening the purchasing power of the naira should take priority over demands for a ₦1 million monthly minimum wage.
Ajaero made the remarks during a television interview on Thursday, October 29, 2026, amid renewed discussions about workers’ salaries, petrol prices and the pressure of rising living expenses.
The labour leader argued that increasing salaries without addressing the economic conditions driving up the prices of goods and services would not provide lasting relief for Nigerian workers.
His comments come as organised labour continues to press the Federal Government to review the current minimum wage and introduce measures to ease the financial burden on households.
According to reports of the interview, Ajaero warned that implementing a ₦1 million minimum wage without addressing underlying economic problems could have serious consequences for the Nigerian economy.
He maintained that the amount workers earn must be considered alongside the value of the currency and the cost of meeting basic needs.
The NLC president's position centres on the difference between nominal wages and purchasing power. While a higher salary increases the amount of money a worker receives, persistent inflation can reduce what that money can buy.
For workers struggling with the cost of food, transport, rent, electricity and other essentials, a salary increase may offer limited relief if prices continue to rise rapidly.
Ajaero's remarks do not remove organised labour's concerns about inadequate wages. Rather, they highlight the union's argument that wage negotiations must be accompanied by broader economic measures that improve workers' living standards.
The NLC has repeatedly called for a review of workers' pay, arguing that the existing minimum wage has been weakened by rising living expenses.
In October, the union issued an ultimatum to the Federal Government over petrol prices and the commencement of minimum wage renegotiations. It warned that workers were facing increasing difficulties as transportation, food and other household costs continued to put pressure on their earnings.
Nigeria's current national minimum wage of ₦70,000 was signed into law in July 2024. The law also provides for periodic review, making wage negotiations an important issue for organised labour and government.
The debate over a possible ₦1 million minimum wage has also generated questions about affordability, government revenue and the capacity of employers to meet significantly higher wage bills.
The discussion highlights two connected challenges facing Nigerian workers: earning enough to meet their needs and ensuring that their income retains its value.
A sustainable response would involve considering wage levels alongside inflation, currency stability, transport costs, housing and the prices of essential goods.
For millions of households, the central concern remains whether their earnings can cover basic expenses without forcing them into debt or leaving essential needs unmet.
Ajaero's latest comments reinforce labour's call for economic conditions that allow workers to maintain a reasonable standard of living, rather than judging wage improvements by salary figures alone.