Organised labour has reaffirmed its demand for a N500,000 minimum wage, insisting that the proposed amount reflects the rising cost of living despite the Federal Government’s planned N70,000 monthly transport support for workers.
Gbenga Olowoyo, national secretary of the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC), said labour remained committed to the demand but was willing to negotiate with the Federal Government to reach a mutually acceptable agreement.
Olowoyo spoke during an interview with Arise News on Tuesday, following a meeting between organised labour and the Federal Government that lasted more than six hours to discuss workers’ welfare and measures to cushion the impact of rising petrol prices.
Labour Welcomes N70,000 Monthly Transport Support
Olowoyo welcomed the government’s agreement to provide workers with N70,000 monthly transport support for six months, beginning in November 2026.
He described the outcome of the negotiations as a positive development, saying it showed the government’s willingness to address workers’ concerns.
“I think with the recent development that happened today, the negotiation lasted over six hours, and with the outcome of the meeting, I think it is a good omen,” Olowoyo said.
He explained that the intervention was intended to support workers at all levels, including those at the grassroots, amid rising transport costs and the pressure of higher fuel prices on household budgets.
However, he stressed that the government must honour its commitment and implement the support scheme as agreed.
N500,000 Minimum Wage Demand Remains
Despite welcoming the transport support, Olowoyo maintained that the intervention was temporary relief and should not replace negotiations for a new minimum wage.
“The template of N500,000 is still subsisting. And at the same time, if government is able to dance around N500,000, we would be alright to support the President. So I want to believe that, like I told you, we are not going to be rigid, but at the same time, we’ll be reasonable,” he said.
The labour leader said the proposed wage was informed by the financial responsibilities workers face, including providing for their families, paying school fees and meeting essential household expenses.
He added that organised labour remained open to negotiations that could produce a figure acceptable to both parties.
Labour Seeks Tripartite Committee
Olowoyo expressed optimism that the agreement would pave the way for further discussions, particularly on establishing a tripartite committee to negotiate a new minimum wage.
He identified the proposed committee as one of labour’s major demands, saying the ongoing engagement should lead to a lasting resolution of the minimum wage question.
According to him, the negotiations initially involved the JNPSNC and eight unions before the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) joined the process, broadening representation.
Olowoyo noted that the NLC had more than 40 affiliate unions and described the outcome as a collective achievement for Nigerian workers.
He also expressed confidence that the government would implement the transport support, citing the signed agreement as a commitment both parties were expected to honour.
“We know government is going to implement it because that is commitment already,” he said.
Transport Support to Run Until April 2027
The six-month transport support scheme is expected to run from November 2026 to April 2027.
Organised labour hopes negotiations on a new minimum wage will be concluded before the intervention expires.
Olowoyo said labour accepted the transport support as a reasonable step towards easing workers’ immediate financial pressures but insisted that its demand for a higher minimum wage remained on the table.
He added that the coming months would provide an opportunity for the government and organised labour to resolve outstanding issues and reach an agreement that better reflects the economic realities facing Nigerian workers.
