By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa
The Nigeria Labour Congress, the country’s biggest Labour union, on Friday directed workers in states that have not fully implemented the 2024 National Minimum Wage Act to observe May Day 2026 on the streets, suspending all indoor or official celebrations.
President Bola Tinubu signed Nigeria’s new minimum wage bill into law on July 29, 2024, raising it from N30,000 to N70,000.
This amendment to the Minimum Wage Act of 2019 followed negotiations between the government, labour unions, and the private sector.
May Day, also known as International Workers’ Day, is celebrated every year on May 1 to honour workers and labour movements worldwide.
The NLC, however, is urging both reflection on the state of workers’ rights and a celebration of collective efforts in continuously building the wealth of nations.
The union, in a statement signed by its General Secretary, Emmanuel Ugboaja, on Friday, condemned several state governments for continuing to violate the 2024 National Minimum Wage Act, refusing to implement key provisions, including consequential adjustments for senior workers, regular and timely payment of the new wage, and the extension of coverage to local government staff, primary school teachers, and health workers.
The union said such violations constitute not only a breach of the law but an assault on the dignity of Nigerian workers.
Accordingly, the NLC directed all State Councils in states where full implementation has not been achieved to ensure there are no May Day ceremonies inside government houses, banquet halls, or any enclosed venue hosted by or in collaboration with defaulting state governments, with all official receptions suspended.
