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The Federal Government has commenced consultations ahead of fresh negotiations on the national minimum wage, as it considers measures to improve workers’ earnings and welfare.
The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Dr Kamil Shoretire, disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja at a capacity-building workshop for labour correspondents.
Shoretire said a formal timetable for the negotiations had yet to be announced, but background discussions were already underway.
He explained that the consultations were part of broader efforts to address wage and allowance concerns across various sectors, including health and education.
According to him, the government is fast-tracking collective bargaining processes so that agreements reached with workers can be reflected in the 2027 budget.
Shoretire also disclosed that the Federal Government had responded to outstanding issues raised in a complaint filed against Nigeria by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) before the International Labour Organisation (ILO).
He said the government met the September 1 deadline set by the ILO to respond to the outstanding issues.
The NLC had petitioned the ILO, alleging violations of workers’ rights under the Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining Convention, 1949, also known as Convention No. 98.
Shoretire said it was normal for workers’ organisations to seek ILO intervention when they believed disputes with government had not been adequately resolved.
On the wage award, the permanent secretary said the arrangement remained in place, stressing that the government had not directed its stoppage. He added that additional incentives for workers and other citizens would be announced in the coming weeks, without providing details.
The development comes amid renewed demands by organised labour for a review of the N70,000 national minimum wage approved in 2024, with labour groups arguing that rising living costs have reduced its purchasing power.
The Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council, Trade Union Side, has also called for the immediate constitution of a committee to negotiate a new minimum wage ahead of January 2027, alongside demands for higher salaries and allowances.
The Federal Government, however, has not announced a new minimum wage figure or formally opened the fresh national negotiation process.
Shoretire said the government remained committed to improving workers’ welfare while ensuring that collective bargaining and negotiations were properly concluded.
He also urged labour correspondents to maintain accuracy, fairness and objectivity in their reporting, warning that sensational or inaccurate reports could heighten tensions in industrial relations.
The workshop also addressed emerging issues in the world of work, including artificial intelligence, the gig economy, social security, migration, occupational safety, skills development and the future of work.
The ministry’s Head of Press and Public Relations, Annah Daniel, said the training was aimed at strengthening collaboration between the ministry and journalists covering labour and employment issues.
