Public sector workers under the umbrella of the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC), Trade Union Side, have called on federal and state governments to increase the national minimum wage by 400 per cent, citing the worsening economic hardship facing workers across the country.
The demand emerged at the end of a two-day National Retreat and Expanded National Executive Council meeting held in Osogbo, Osun State.
In a communiqué signed by the council’s National Chairman, Benjamin Uyanto, and National Secretary, Olowoyo Gbenga, the union said the current ₦70,000 minimum wage has been severely eroded by inflation and the rising cost of living, leaving many civil servants struggling to meet basic needs.
According to the council, urgent action is needed to ease the burden on workers and their families.
“The federal and state governments should urgently consider approving and implementing a 400 per cent increase on the current ₦70,000 national minimum wage to address the severe economic challenges confronting workers and their dependants,” the communiqué stated.
The union also urged organised labour and government to begin negotiations on a new minimum wage by July 2026, ahead of the statutory review scheduled for the first quarter of 2027. It argued that early discussions would help prevent the delays, disputes and mistrust that often accompany wage reviews.
The council expressed disappointment over the failure of some state governments to fully implement consequential salary adjustments linked to the new minimum wage. It warned that its national leadership may take decisive action against states that continue to delay or ignore the approved adjustments.
JNPSNC further criticised both federal and state governments for failing to honour agreements reached through collective bargaining, describing the trend as a major obstacle to healthy labour-government relations.
On workers’ welfare, the union demanded the immediate implementation of the 40 per cent peculiar allowance approved by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission. It also called on the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation to expedite payment without further delay.
The council equally pressed for the implementation of occupational hazard allowances approved for certain agricultural professionals in the public service, noting that the approval had already been granted by the 46th National Council on Establishment.
Beyond wage issues, the union urged the government to take concrete steps to revive the economy, strengthen the naira, improve electricity supply and provide tax relief for workers and investors to boost local production and industrial growth.
The meeting was attended by labour leaders from across the country as well as government officials, including the Governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke, representatives of the Federal Ministry of Labour, heads of service, permanent secretaries and directors of establishment matters from several states.
At the conclusion of the gathering, delegates passed a vote of confidence on the council’s leadership and approved a four-year single tenure for national and state executives, effective from the next election cycle.
