May Day: NLC demands ₦225,000 minimum wage for Lagos workers

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Lagos State Council, has appealed to the Lagos state government to review  minimum wage for its workers from the current N85,000 to N225,000.

The appeal was made on Friday by  Funmi Sessi, the council chairperson during the 2026 International Workers’ Day celebration held at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Lagos.

Sessi said the current wage, though an improvement approved by the state government under Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, had become insufficient in the face of rising economic hardship.

“Given the current economic hardship and the high cost of living in Lagos, this amount is no longer sufficient. We, therefore, respectfully appeal… to review the minimum wage to N225,000,” she said.

She said inflation, insecurity, and the rising cost of essential goods were making life increasingly difficult for workers, adding that many were struggling to afford housing, transportation, healthcare, and education.

The labour leader also warned that insecurity across the country was affecting productivity, with workers exposed to risks such as kidnapping and displacement.

Sessi urged both the federal and state governments to strengthen security measures to protect lives and livelihoods.

She, however, commended the Lagos state government for ongoing infrastructure projects, including rail lines and road development, describing them as efforts that support economic growth.

The event was attended by Obafemi Hamzat, deputy governor who represented the governor, alongside labour leaders and workers from across the state.