NLC Presses FG on Wage Review, Security as Labour Sets 2026 Agenda
By Darasimi Kikelomo
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called on the Federal Government to urgently review workers’ wages, strengthen security across the country, and prioritise policies that directly improve citizens’ welfare in 2026.
The labour centre warned that organised labour would oppose any policies or actions that further impoverish Nigerians, stressing that workers’ patience should not be mistaken for weakness.
In a New Year message addressed to workers and the general public, NLC President Joe Ajaero said the economic and social realities of 2025 revealed deep structural vulnerabilities, but had only strengthened labour’s commitment to social justice, fairness, and national unity.
According to Ajaero, organised labour is approaching 2026 with “renewed determination rather than blind optimism,” noting that sustained pressure from labour had compelled the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to signal a willingness for more meaningful engagement.
However, he cautioned workers and citizens to remain vigilant, stressing that labour’s support would be reserved strictly for governments and political actors that demonstrate genuine commitment to uplifting the masses through clear, practical, and people-centred programmes.
Ajaero criticised what he described as self-serving political tendencies, warning against policies that benefit a privileged minority at the expense of the broader population, particularly at a time of rising inflation and deepening hardship.
On wages, the NLC demanded an immediate review of workers’ pay, insisting that earnings must guarantee dignity and decent living standards rather than mere survival, in line with the President’s stated commitment to a living wage.
Addressing security concerns, Ajaero described the protection of lives and property as a fundamental right, acknowledging recent improvements while urging authorities to consolidate on existing gains.
“Nigerians deserve peace and security wherever they live. There must be no retreat,” he said.
He added that labour’s mobilisation strategy in 2026 would be deliberate and nationally focused, aimed at promoting unity, resisting divisive narratives, and safeguarding the collective interest of working people.
In a related New Year message, the Lagos State Council of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) also called for renewed respect for workers’ voices and rights in the year ahead.
Chairman of the TUC Lagos State Council, Abiodun Aladetan, said 2025 subjected Nigerian workers to severe economic, social, and institutional pressures, but noted that they remained resilient.
“Despite the hardship, workers did not surrender to despair. They stood firm, demanding fairness, equity, and respect through lawful and principled engagement. That courage must guide us in 2026,” Aladetan said.
He expressed hope that 2026 would mark a turning point where workers’ contributions are not only acknowledged but respected, describing organised labour as a critical pillar of national stability and development.
— GLEBM News
