The National Secretary of the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC), Comrade Gbenga Olowoyo, has reiterated organised labour’s demand for a ₦500,000 minimum wage, arguing that the amount reflects the financial challenges Nigerian workers face amid the rising cost of living.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Olowoyo said labour remained committed to the proposed wage but was willing to engage in reasonable negotiations with the Federal Government to reach an agreement that would improve workers’ welfare.
He made this known during an interview with Arise News on Tuesday, following a meeting between organised labour and the Federal Government that lasted more than six hours. The discussions focused on workers’ welfare and measures to ease the impact of rising petrol prices.
The labour leader also welcomed the government’s agreement to provide workers with a monthly transport allowance of ₦70,000 for six months, beginning in November, describing the development as a positive outcome of the negotiations.
According to him, the agreement showed the government’s willingness to address workers’ concerns, adding that organised labour expected the authorities to fulfil their commitments and implement the support as agreed.
Reflecting on the outcome of the meeting, Olowoyo said the lengthy negotiations had produced encouraging results.
“I think with the recent development that happened today, the negotiation lasted over six hours, and with the outcome of the meeting, I think it is a good omen,” he said.
He explained that the transport intervention was intended to support workers across all levels, including those at the grassroots, amid rising transportation costs and the impact of higher fuel prices on household expenses.
However, Olowoyo stressed that the ₦70,000 monthly allowance should be regarded as temporary relief while discussions on a new minimum wage continued.
“The template of N500,000 is still subsisting. And at the same time, if government is able to dance around N500,000, we would be alright to support the President. So I want to believe that, like I told you, we are not going to be rigid, but at the same time, we’ll be reasonable,” he stated.
The JNPSNC secretary explained that the proposed minimum wage was based on the financial responsibilities workers must meet, including providing for their families, paying school fees and covering other essential household expenses.
He maintained that while organised labour was not prepared to abandon its demand, it remained open to negotiations aimed at reaching a mutually acceptable agreement with the government.
Olowoyo also expressed optimism that the recent agreement would pave the way for further discussions, particularly the establishment of a tripartite committee to negotiate a new minimum wage, which he described as one of labour’s key demands.
He noted that the government’s willingness to reach an agreement with organised labour demonstrated a commitment to addressing workers’ concerns. He added that labour expected the process to continue towards a lasting resolution of the minimum wage issue.
According to him, the outcome of the negotiations would benefit workers beyond the unions directly involved in the initial discussions, noting that the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has more than 40 affiliate unions.
He explained that the talks initially involved the JNPSNC and eight unions before the NLC joined the process, expanding the representation of organised labour.
Olowoyo therefore described the outcome as a collective achievement for Nigerian workers, regardless of whether their respective unions participated in the initial negotiations.
He further expressed confidence that the government would implement the ₦70,000 monthly transport allowance, stressing that the signed agreement represented a commitment both parties were expected to honour.
The six-month intervention is expected to run from November 2026 to April 2027. Olowoyo said organised labour hoped to conclude negotiations on a new minimum wage before the support period expires.
“We know government is going to implement it because that is commitment already,” he said.
He added that labour accepted the transport allowance as a reasonable measure to address workers’ immediate financial difficulties while maintaining its demand for a higher minimum wage.
Olowoyo said the coming months would provide an opportunity for the Federal Government and organised labour to resolve outstanding issues and reach an agreement that better reflects the economic realities facing Nigerian workers.
