NLC Blasts Governors’ ‘Irrational’ Move To Control Minimum Wage, Warns Of N5,000 Wage Disaster!

In an interview on Arise TV, Upah emphasized that the core issues in the minimum wage negotiations are prioritization and political will. He underscored that Nigeria has followed this process since 1961, and the governors’ attempt to control the negotiations is deemed “entirely irrational.”

Upah warned of significant socioeconomic repercussions if states were allowed to determine their own minimum wages, noting that some states might set wages as low as N5,000, disregarding labor rights.

He explained, “The national minimum wage process involves three key parties: labor, employers, and the government. As the government also serves as an employer, governors have traditionally participated in this process. For them to now attempt to exclude themselves from the national negotiations is not only harmful but also an act of treachery, as they are aware of their role within the government team. This process is tripartite, and governors lack the constitutional authority to commandeer it.”

Upah also highlighted that labor is placed on the exclusive list to ensure consistency in labor law administration, making it easier for investors by preventing the need to navigate multiple state-specific laws. He cautioned that moving labor to the concurrent list could lead to states paying as little as N5,000 due to governors’ disdain for labor rights, which could result in severe socioeconomic consequences affecting security, livelihoods, and general decency.