BREAKING: “Any Group Of People That Wants To Fix National Minimum Wage From Their Comfort Zone – Olowoyo Gbenga
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According to a report by Vanguard on wednesday jun 3, 2026, The reported proposal of a ₦100,000 minimum wage by the Nigeria Governors’ Forum has drawn criticism from organised labour, with workers’ representatives questioning both the process and the authority behind the suggestion.
Labour leaders argued that the issue of a national minimum wage is governed by law and cannot be determined by any group acting outside the established legal framework.
The development has renewed discussions about workers’ welfare, salary structures, and the procedures required for reviewing wages in Nigeria.
One of the strongest reactions came from the National Secretary of the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council, Trade Union Side, Olowoyo Gbenga, who described the reported proposal as inappropriate and inconsistent with the legal process used to determine a national minimum wage.
According to him, the authority to establish or review a national minimum wage does not belong to a forum of governors.
He maintained that such decisions must follow constitutional provisions and legislative procedures designed to ensure fairness and broad participation by relevant stakeholders.
Gbenga explained that Nigeria’s minimum wage system is based on a legal framework that involves consultations among organised labour, representatives of employers in the private sector, and government officials.
This tripartite arrangement is intended to provide a balanced platform where the interests of workers, employers, and government can be considered before any wage decision is made.
He stressed that the process is recognised by law and is designed to ensure that wage reviews reflect prevailing economic realities and the needs of workers across the country.
The labour leader also argued that any attempt to suggest a national wage figure without going through the required consultation process could create unnecessary confusion among workers and the public.
He stated that discussions about wages should take into account the economic difficulties many Nigerians are currently facing, including rising living costs and other financial pressures affecting households.
According to him, workers expect wage-related decisions to be based on careful assessment of economic conditions and meaningful engagement with all parties involved in the process.
Beyond the issue of procedure, organised labour expressed concern about what it sees as a growing tendency for individuals or groups to comment on wage matters without considering the legal structures already in place.
Labour representatives maintained that the minimum wage is not merely a policy proposal but a statutory matter regulated by legislation.
They argued that any review of workers’ pay should emerge from negotiations involving recognised stakeholders rather than from unilateral suggestions made outside the formal framework.
Gbenga further noted that the National Minimum Wage Act 2024 provides a clear mechanism for periodic wage reviews.
Under the law, negotiations for a new minimum wage are expected to take place every three years. Based on the provisions of the Act, the next formal review process is expected to begin in early 2027.
He explained that this timeline allows all stakeholders to assess economic conditions, evaluate the effectiveness of the current wage structure, and engage in discussions aimed at reaching a mutually acceptable outcome.
He said, “Any group of people that wants to fix national minimum wage from their comfort zone without taking into cognisance the economic hardship the working class is passing through should be regarded as a group of comedians.”
