By Danladi Ahmed
The Tinubu Stakeholders Forum (TSF) has called on the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to build on the demonstrated willingness of the Federal Government and state governments to improve workers’ welfare through dialogue and constructive engagement.
It said in a statement signed by its Chairman Ahmad Sajoh and Secretary Danjuma Sada that it remained the more productive path than confrontation now that discussions on a possible review of the national minimum wage are on.
The Forum noted that concerns expressed by organised labour over the rising cost of living are understandable and reflect the realities many Nigerian workers continue to face. However, it noted that both the Federal Government and state governments have consistently demonstrated the commitment and political will to improve workers’ welfare through consultation, consensus and sustained engagement.
TSF recalled that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved a historic increase in the national minimum wage from ₦30,000 to ₦70,000 after extensive negotiations involving organised labour, state governments and private sector employers.
The Forum said this reflected the administration’s commitment to consultation and underscored an important principle: The national minimum wage is not merely a government salary policy but a national labour policy that affects employers across both the public and private sectors. As Nigeria’s largest employer and the engine of investment and job creation, the private sector is an essential stakeholder in wage negotiations. Any review must therefore improve workers’ welfare while sustaining business growth, competitiveness and employment.
The Forum also noted that several state governments have gone beyond implementing the ₦70,000 minimum wage by approving higher salaries and additional welfare packages, while the Federal Government and a number of states have also improved allowances, pensions and other benefits, demonstrating a shared commitment to workers’ welfare.
According to TSF, improving workers’ welfare extends beyond wage adjustments alone. It said the government is complementing wage policy with measures to reduce inflation, expand food production, improve transportation, widen access to consumer credit, provide tax relief for low-income earners, create jobs and strengthen social protection, all aimed at improving workers’ purchasing power and easing the cost of living.
While affirming the constitutional right of organised labour to advocate for its members, TSF maintained that constructive engagement has consistently produced better outcomes than confrontation. It said dialogue built on mutual respect and shared responsibility remains the most effective path towards achieving a fair, sustainable and economically viable wage structure.
“The Federal Government and state governments have demonstrated their willingness to engage.
“With channels of communication open, confrontation should not be the first option. Labour, government and employers have consistently achieved better outcomes through dialogue, and we are confident that the same approach will deliver further improvements in workers’ welfare while supporting economic growth and industrial harmony,” the Forum said.
The Forum urged all stakeholders to approach future negotiations in good faith and with a shared commitment to protecting workers’ welfare, promoting enterprise, preserving economic stability and creating more opportunities for decent and productive employment across the country.
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