Persistent non-compliance by some state governments with the 2024 National Minimum Wage Act is now set to trigger nationwide street protests on Workers’ Day.
The Nigeria Labour Congress says the affected states have continued to violate key provisions of the law, including consequential adjustments for senior workers, timely payment of the new wage, and its extension to local government staff, primary school teachers, and health workers.
In a directive signed by General Secretary Emmanuel Ugboaja, the labour centre described the situation as not just a breach of the law, but an assault on the dignity of Nigerian workers.
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The NLC has therefore ordered its state councils in defaulting states to boycott all official May Day celebrations in government venues, including state houses and banquet halls, and instead mobilise workers for public demonstrations.
Workers are to converge at labour houses, union secretariats, or designated public squares by 7:00 a.m. on May 1, 2026, before embarking on peaceful, organised processions across their respective state capitals.
Editor: Ada Ononye
