The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has issued a firm warning to state governments and employers, setting a deadline for the full implementation of the national minimum wage and consequential adjustments before the end of March.
Mr. Mohammed Ibrahim, President of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), made this declaration at a one-day National Leadership Retreat for the union’s National Administrative Committee members in Abuja on Wednesday.
Speaking on the theme “Leadership Challenges Amongst Activists,” Ibrahim, who also serves as the NLC’s National Internal Auditor, criticized the persistent delays and manipulations surrounding wage payments, describing them as a deliberate act of insincerity by some states and institutions.
According to Ibrahim, many institutions and states have failed to properly implement the wage law, instead opting for arbitrary figures that do not reflect the legal minimum wage.
“The national minimum wage has been signed into law, and payments should have commenced nationwide,” he stated.
“But in most institutions and states, what they did was just to award a certain amount or a figure they are merely using to play with the intelligence of workers as minimum wage.”
He assured workers that the NLC would take strong action to ensure compliance.
“But going forward, I can assure you that we are taking very stringent measures to ensure that between now and the end of this first quarter, the minimum wage and consequential adjustment will be implemented.
“Any state or employer of labour that refuses to implement the national minimum wage and the adjustment in workers’ salaries accordingly will face the consequences.
“The labour laws are there, and we have all that it takes to enforce our rights against those employers,” Ibrahim warned.
Ibrahim also addressed internal challenges within labour movements, highlighting the issue of union members sabotaging industrial actions.
“Unfortunately, some of our own members work against our collective struggle. They engage in blackmail and underhand dealings to derail strike actions.
“But this is not unique to SSANU; it happens in every sector. Part of why we are holding this retreat is to educate our members on the importance of unity and discipline within the union,” he said.
He acknowledged that industrial actions had become less effective due to government indifference and worker fatigue but emphasized that the union would explore alternative negotiation strategies while keeping strike actions as a last resort.
The SSANU president further stressed the importance of investing in tertiary institutions and ensuring continuous training for university staff.
“As leaders of this great union, we must ensure that our national executives are equipped with the latest global trends,” he said.
The retreat was attended by key labour figures, including former NLC President Ayuba Wabba, former SSANU President Chief Promise Adeusi, and the Director-General of the Institute of Mentoring and Coaching, Mr. Rotimi Mathew.