Nigeria labour insists on ₦70,000 minimum wage, CNG transport & student loan initiatives

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) is intensifying its call for the stronger implementation of the ₦70,000 minimum wage, along with the acceleration of the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Transport system and expanded students' loan schemes. These initiatives are seen as essential to mitigate the harsh impact of recent reforms that have significantly strained Nigerian workers and families. Eze Onyekpere, Lead Director at the Center for Social Justice, shed light on these pressing issues in a recent interview on CNBC Africa. The discussion also delved into Nigeria's upcoming population census and its potential impact on the country's socio-economic development trajectory. The NLC has been vocal about the need for a more robust implementation of the ₦70,000 minimum wage, emphasizing that many states have failed to properly adjust salaries in line with the new benchmark. Onyekpere highlighted the inadequacy of the previous ₦30,000 minimum wage in the face of currency devaluation and subsidy removal. The agreed-upon ₦70,000 wage, although higher, still falls short of a living wage when converted to USD, reflecting the ongoing struggle for Nigerian workers to make ends meet. One of the key points raised during the interview was the delayed rollout of CNG vehicles and facilities, which were intended to offer cheaper transport options post-subsidy removal. Onyekpere expressed frustration over the prolonged discussions surrounding CNG implementation, noting that these measures should have been swiftly enacted to alleviate the economic burden on the most vulnerable segments of society. Looking ahead, the conversation turned to the annual adjustments of the minimum wage to keep pace with market realities and inflation. Onyekpere underscored the importance of regular wage reviews, especially given the current economic challenges facing Nigeria. He emphasized that non-compliant states are not lacking resources but rather prioritizing other expenditures over the welfare of workers, calling for increased pressure on these states to fulfill their obligations. Furthermore, the interview touched upon the recommendations from international organizations like the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank regarding subsidy reforms and fiscal discipline. Onyekpere urged the Nigerian government to exercise fiscal prudence by curbing wasteful spending and exploring avenues to optimize revenue generation, such as refining and selling locally produced crude oil. The discussion also shifted towards Nigeria's upcoming National Population Census, a crucial exercise for effective planning and resource allocation. Onyekpere stressed the importance of conducting a transparent and credible census that accurately reflects the demographic landscape, unlike previous instances that were marred by manipulation and inaccuracies. In conclusion, the interview highlighted the urgent need for comprehensive reforms to address the socio-economic challenges facing Nigerian workers. The NLC's advocacy for the ₦70,000 minimum wage implementation, expedited CNG rollout, and improved data collection through the census are critical steps towards fostering sustainable development and enhancing the well-being of Nigerians.