The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has officially declared its readiness to lead a nationwide movement focused on securing a substantial increase in the national minimum wage. During the opening of the Comrade Godwin Abumisi Pensioners Legacy House in Abuja, NLC President Joe Ajaero emphasized that the union will no longer advocate for current employees without simultaneously addressing the needs of retirees.
Ajaero highlighted that the rising costs of essential goods and services have made current pension rates inadequate, often forcing former public servants into poverty. He argued that it is a historical injustice for individuals who dedicated their most productive years to the country to face such financial hardship after retiring. Consequently, the NLC intends to lobby for both a revised minimum wage and the creation of a guaranteed national minimum pension.
The NLC leader called on the labor movement to remain unified for the upcoming economic and ideological negotiations. He characterized the new pensioner facility not just as a building, but as a hub for strategic mobilization. Ajaero reaffirmed the union’s commitment to clearing pension arrears and ensuring a secure, dignified standard of living for all former workers, asserting that the organization will continue its advocacy until these standards are met.