The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has issued a strong warning to the National Assembly over an alleged plot to remove labour matters, including the national minimum wage, from the exclusive legislative list of the Federal Government.
The NLC said it would resist any attempt to move such responsibilities to the concurrent list—where individual states would be empowered to determine workers’ wages independently.
Speaking during the National Administrative Council (NAC) meeting of the Central Working Committee held in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Friday, NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, described the move as “an exercise in futility” and a dangerous attempt to undermine workers’ rights across the country.
Ajaero warned that such a move, if pursued, could trigger nationwide protests that may extend to the 2027 general elections.
“The National Assembly should not go into this exercise in futility unless its members are also willing to allow their respective states to determine their salaries. If they attempt to smuggle labour matters into the concurrent list, we will mobilize Nigerian workers to resist it—even up to election day,” Ajaero declared.
He argued that labour matters are universally recognized as national concerns, pointing out that the International Labour Organization (ILO) deals with national governments, not sub-national entities, on labour rights and wage matters.
According to the labour leader, the proposed decentralisation is a veiled attempt to “bastardize” the national minimum wage and allow states to suppress workers’ welfare by setting arbitrary wage standards. He said this would violate global best practices and the spirit of the ILO Act, which mandates national protection for workers.
“All over the world, the minimum wage exists to protect workers. In Nigeria, there is a law mandating a ₦70,000 minimum wage. States can pay more than that—as many already do—but they must not be allowed to pay less,” he said.
Ajaero noted that the NLC was not aware of any state failing to pay the new wage, but stressed that labour would not allow the reversal of progress made in workers’ welfare.
He also called on federal lawmakers to remember their duty to the Nigerian people, urging them to uphold justice and equity instead of pursuing legislation that would harm the working class.
“Members of the National Assembly should be representing the interests of those who elected them, not pushing policies that will destroy lives,” he warned.
On the issue of delayed implementation of local government autonomy as directed by the Supreme Court, Ajaero urged stakeholders to seek a fresh interpretation from the apex court to ensure full compliance with the constitution.
The NLC has vowed to take all lawful steps to block any constitutional amendment that would erode the rights of workers or transfer labour regulation to the states.
“We are not opposed to development or federalism, but we will never support an arrangement that sacrifices workers’ dignity on the altar of political convenience,” Ajaero said.
PLATFORM TIMES reports that the NLC’s threat comes amid growing concerns over legislative proposals aimed at restructuring labour relations in Nigeria’s federal system.
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