NLC Urges FG And States To Follow Imo’s Lead On Minimum Wage Increase.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called on the Federal Government and state governments to emulate Imo State’s recent decision to implement a ₦104,000 minimum wage for workers. NLC President Joe Ajaero made the appeal on Thursday, 28 August 2025, during an interview on the sidelines of the 7th National Quadrennial Delegates Conference of the National Union of Civil Engineering Construction, Furniture and Wood Workers (NUCECFWW) in Abuja, themed “Building Trade Unions’ Future through Strategic Organising and Investments.”
Ajaero praised Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma for raising the minimum wage from ₦76,000 to ₦104,000, describing the move as “real and commendable.” The governor also approved significant salary increases for specific sectors, with doctors’ pay rising from ₦215,000 to ₦503,000 and tertiary institution tutors’ salaries increasing from ₦119,000 to ₦222,000. “So many people were asking me, is this real? I have reached out to him, and although he told me about it before now, it is real. This is the highest, and to a very large extent, it is commendable,” Ajaero said.
The NLC president highlighted that Imo State, despite not being among the highest revenue-generating states, has set a strong example for others. He noted that during minimum wage negotiations, the Federal Government had expressed concerns about disrupting sub-national wage structures, claiming it could afford to pay more but chose restraint. “If states have the capacity to pay ₦100,000 and above, and considering Imo is not the highest in terms of revenue, it means others are encouraged to do more,” Ajaero stated, emphasising that the minimum wage is a baseline, not a ceiling.
Ajaero urged other governors to adopt similar initiatives, stressing the need for regular wage reviews to address Nigeria’s economic challenges. “You must not wait for the next three years for a wage to be reviewed, especially given the current economic situation, so that people can at least survive,” he added. The Federal Government implemented a ₦70,000 minimum wage in July 2024, but Ajaero argued that states with stronger financial capacities should exceed this benchmark, as Imo has done.
The NLC leader also raised concerns about the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), alleging that 40 per cent of workers’ contributions have been diverted. He called for accountability and urged the government to abandon plans to amend the NSITF Act, which he claimed would allow undue control over workers’ funds. Additionally, NUCECFWW President Stephen Okoro highlighted unfair labour practices in the construction industry, underscoring the unions’ commitment to improving workers’ welfare and ensuring quality infrastructure.
Imo’s wage increase, backed by a rise in internally generated revenue from ₦400 million to over ₦3 billion monthly and federal allocations from ₦7 billion to ₦14 billion, has positioned the state as a model for others. The NLC’s call has sparked hope among workers, with many anticipating that other states will follow suit to alleviate the financial strain caused by rising living costs.
