Group rallies Nigerians for N500,000 minimum wage, sets August 11 deadline

The Network of Abuja Left Groups has called on Nigerians to rally behind organised labour’s demand for a new minimum wage of at least N500,000, warning that failure by the Federal Government to reach an agreement could deepen hardship across the country.

The group, in a statement issued and signed by six civil society and socialist organisations, said the minimum wage dispute should not be viewed as a matter affecting only public servants, but as a broader struggle for economic survival and dignity.

It urged residents of the Federal Capital Territory and Nigerians nationwide to prepare to support labour as the August 11 deadline approaches.

The statement was signed by Omole Ibukun of Creative Change Centre; Akande Daniel of Anti-Imperialist Nigeria; Maxwell Adeyemi of Socialist Labour; Adaramoye Michael Lenin of Democratic Socialist Movement; Abdullahi Bilal of Solidarity Network for Workers’ Rights; and Salako Kayode of Revolutionary Socialist Movement.

According to the group, higher wages would benefit the wider economy by increasing workers’ purchasing power and boosting patronage of farmers, traders, transport operators, artisans, landlords and small businesses.

“When workers are underpaid, markets become empty, small businesses lose customers, transport operators carry fewer passengers, artisans receive fewer jobs, landlords struggle to collect rent, and unemployment rises,” it said.

The groups argued that the rising cost of essential commodities and services—including food, transportation, electricity, cooking gas, rent, medicines and school fees—had significantly eroded the purchasing power of Nigerian workers.

It said many families were now being forced to skip meals, withdraw children from school, delay medical treatment and incur more debt to survive.

The coalition therefore urged the Federal Government to honour its commitments to workers, settle outstanding obligations and conclude negotiations for a “genuine living wage” of not less than N500,000.

It also called on market associations, student unions, transport workers, artisans, traders, professional bodies, community associations, women and youth organisations to sensitise their members and support the labour struggle.

The group said any industrial action that may follow if the demand was not met should be understood as a fight for an economy where work could provide a pathway out of poverty.

It warned that continued wage stagnation amid rising living costs could worsen inequality and insecurity, arguing that a poorly paid working class could not sustain a healthy economy.(Guardian)