The national minimum wage in Nigeria is still ₦70,000 a month. No new rate has been approved. Figures like ₦100,000, ₦150,000 and ₦500,000 are proposals or union demands, according to Within Nigeria. The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) wants talks now. The Federal Government (FG) says the review is due in June 2027.
Last updated: 8 November 2026.
Quick answer: where the minimum wage stands today
Current rate: ₦70,000 a month. President Tinubu signed it into law on 29 July 2024, according to Tribune Online. The review cycle was cut from five years to three, as BusinessDay reported.
What has not been decided: the new rate, the date talks begin, and whether workers will get any extra relief before then. I found no confirmed report of a strike or of talks starting after the ultimatum expired. If that changes, we will update this page.
Latest developments, in date order
- September 2026: Labour Ministry Permanent Secretary Kamil Shoretire said background discussions were ongoing but no timetable had been set.
- 7 to 9 October: The NLC issued a two-week ultimatum starting 9 October. It demanded a petrol price cut, the start of wage renegotiation before the end of October, and wage awards and tax relief, as Nairametrics reported and TheCable.
- 12 October: In a letter, Labour Minister Dingyadi said the wage is due for review on 1 June 2027. He called an earlier review premature and noted ₦70,000 was a 133% rise on ₦30,000, per The Will.
- After the reply: The NLC rejected the three-year timeline. Vanguard reported that a strike looms.
- Early November: The TUC rejected a fresh wage award and asked for ₦300,000 for federal workers, as reported here.
Why the FG and NLC disagree on timing
Both sides point to the same three-year cycle but count from different dates. The FG counts from the 2024 law, which lands on June 2027. The NLC counts from the 2019 Act, which puts the start of talks around 17 October 2026.
The NLC also says the FG is mixing up two things: starting negotiations and putting a new wage into effect. Talks can begin now, even if a new rate takes months to agree. Read the earlier FG and labour agreement on ₦70k for how the current rate came about.
What unions are demanding, and what is only a proposal
| Figure | Who wants it | Status |
|---|---|---|
| ₦500,000 | Unions, with ₦500 per litre petrol, per Legit.ng | Demand |
| ₦300,000 | TUC, for federal workers | Demand |
| ₦100,000 and ₦150,000 | Various proposals | Proposal |
| ₦70,000 | Law since July 2024 | In force |
A wage award is a separate payment or relief measure, not a new minimum wage. The TUC also says the minimum wage is a floor, not a ceiling, so pay above it can be negotiated.
What each state pays (with dates)
State rates change, so check the date on each figure.
States above ₦70,000. A Nairametrics review as of April 2026 put Imo highest at ₦104,000, followed by Ebonyi at ₦90,000. Ogun, Edo, Kebbi, Benue and Osun also approved higher rates. In 2024, Lagos was reported at ₦85,000, Niger and Akwa Ibom at ₦80,000, and Ogun at ₦77,000. Second-hand reporting says 20 states paid above ₦70,000 and 15 paid exactly that.
States with gaps. In May 2026, the local government workers’ union NULGE said about 20 states had not fully implemented ₦70,000 for local government workers and primary school teachers. It named Kaduna, Gombe, Borno, Yobe, Zamfara, Imo, Ebonyi, Cross River and the FCT, among others, per Tribune. Note that Imo and Ebonyi appear on both lists, so a high approved rate does not always mean full payment.
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What workers should expect
Timeline. The FG’s stated date is 1 June 2027 for the review. Even if talks start earlier, a signed new law takes time. Do not budget around ₦500,000 or any other unconfirmed figure.
Strike risk. The NLC has rejected the FG’s reply, so a strike remains possible. We have no confirmed date. Watch for an NLC National Executive Council announcement.
Private-sector workers. The law covers employers under the Act, and some are exempt. Check the exemptions in the Act itself before assuming you are covered.
What to do if you are underpaid
- Check your payslip against ₦70,000, or your state’s approved rate.
- Ask HR or your accounts office in writing for the basis of your pay.
- Raise it with your union branch. For civil servants and local government staff, that means the NLC, TUC or NULGE.
- If it is not resolved, report to the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment or your state labour office.
Keep copies of your appointment letter and payslips. For more on the pay fight, see our report on labour rejecting an accord and our wider Nigeria coverage.
Related reading: Why a ₦70,000 pay promise was announced in 2024.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum wage in Nigeria now?
It is ₦70,000 a month, signed into law on 29 July 2024. No new national rate has been approved. Some states pay more.
Has the FG approved ₦500,000 as the new minimum wage?
No. ₦500,000 is a union demand, not an approved figure. The same goes for ₦300,000, ₦150,000 and ₦100,000.
When will talks on a new minimum wage start?
The FG says the review is due on 1 June 2027. The NLC says talks should have started in October 2026. I found no confirmed start date, so watch for official announcements.
Will the NLC go on strike over the minimum wage?
The NLC rejected the FG’s reply to its ultimatum and reports say a strike looms. We found no confirmed strike date. We will update this page if that changes.
How much is ₦70,000 in dollars?
Employsome puts it at about US$53. The exact figure moves with the exchange rate.
