• Lagos NLC has asked the state government to raise workers’ minimum wage from N85,000 to N225,000
• NLC said inflation and the high cost of living have made the current wage unsustainable
• The union argued that workers can no longer comfortably afford food, housing, transport, healthcare and education

The Nigeria Labour Congress Lagos State Council has asked the Lagos State Government to raise the minimum wage for workers from N85,000 to N225,000, warning that the current pay can no longer match the realities of living in the state.

The demand was made by the council’s chairperson, Funmi Sessi, during the 2026 International Workers’ Day celebration held at Mobolaji Johnson Arena on Friday, May 1.

She said workers in Lagos are facing mounting economic pressure as inflation continues to erode the value of wages and make basic living increasingly difficult.

According to the union, the current wage structure no longer offers enough protection for workers battling rising living costs in Lagos.

Labour leaders said salaries have lost much of their value since the last adjustment, leaving many full-time workers struggling to meet essential needs such as food, housing, transport, healthcare and education.

“Given the current economic hardship and the high cost of living in Lagos, this amount is no longer sufficient.

“We respectfully appeal to the state government to review the minimum wage to N225,000 in the interest of the worker and industrial harmony.”

The union said although the N85,000 wage increase was welcomed when it was introduced, inflation has quickly wiped out its impact, making another review necessary to preserve workers’ welfare and maintain industrial peace.

The labour body noted that inflation, now put at 15.38 per cent, has sharply increased the cost of goods and services, making it harder for workers to cope with daily expenses.

It said many workers are becoming more financially vulnerable as food prices and the cost of other essentials continue to climb.

“The current inflation rate of 15.38 per cent has worsened the suffering of our people.

“Prices of foodstuffs and other essential commodities have risen significantly, making workers more vulnerable.”

The union also linked workers’ hardship to wider economic pressures, including global developments affecting fuel prices and the general cost of living.

It warned that rising insecurity remains another major burden, threatening workers’ safety and reducing productivity across sectors.

Labour leaders urged both the federal and Lagos State governments to strengthen security measures and introduce policies that better protect workers’ welfare, livelihoods and productivity.

Despite its concerns, the union commended the Lagos State Government for ongoing infrastructure projects, including rail development, road expansion and other worker-focused initiatives aimed at improving transportation and economic activity across the state.

FG to review minimum wage in less than 2 years

Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the Federal Government had pledged to review the national minimum wage in less than two years, Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, revealed during a press briefing in Umuahia, Abia State.

Onyejeocha reaffirmed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's commitment to improving workers’ welfare. She emphasised that the government would adhere to its promise of a three-year review cycle for the minimum wage.