The Nigeria Labour Congress has vowed to intensify enforcement of the N70,000 national minimum wage, targeting non-compliant employers, particularly in the unorganised private sector, where some workers reportedly earn as little as N15,000 a month.

Assistant Secretary-General of the NLC, Onyeka Christopher, said that while implementation of the new wage has seen moderate progress in the public sector, violations in the private sector remain a significant concern.

The executive said the unorganised private sector poses the greatest concern.

Meanwhile, in July 2024, President Bola Tinubu signed into law a new minimum wage of N70,000 per month, up from N30,000. The increase followed extensive negotiations between the federal government and organised labour in response to rising inflation, escalating living costs, and the removal of fuel subsidies.

Despite this development, labour unions argue that the N70,000 benchmark is still inadequate amid high inflation and the rising cost of basic goods and services. Some groups have called for an annual wage review mechanism instead of the current three-year cycle.