NLC: Tinubu Offered Us N250k Minimum Wage To Accept N1,500 Petrol Price, But We Rejected It-Ajaero

Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President Joe Ajaero has claimed that organised labour turned down a proposed ₦250,000 payment during negotiations with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, choosing instead to accept a ₦70,000 minimum wage because of concerns about the wider impact of a petrol price increase on Nigerians.

Ajaero made the disclosure during an interview on the Mic On Podcast, in which he reflected on negotiations between organised labour and the Federal Government over workers’ welfare, the minimum wage and the economic consequences of changes to the price of petrol.

According to Ajaero, the discussion took place during a meeting between the labour leadership and President Tinubu. He recalled the President telling labour representatives that their position was restricting his ability to increase the pump price of petrol.

Ajaero said Tinubu proposed that workers could receive ₦250,000 if labour agreed to the proposed increase, which he said was being discussed at around ₦1,500 per litre. The President, according to Ajaero, also referred to developments in neighbouring countries while making his case.

Recalling the conversation, the NLC president said labour leaders considered the potential consequences of a significant increase in petrol prices beyond the immediate benefit to workers.

Ajaero said the labour movement therefore indicated that it would rather accept a lower minimum wage than support a fuel price increase that could place additional financial pressure on the wider population.

He explained that the consequences of higher petrol prices would not be limited to members of the organised labour movement, as increased transportation and operating costs could affect businesses, consumers and other segments of society.

According to Ajaero, the decision was ultimately based on the belief that organised labour had a responsibility to consider the interests of Nigerians beyond its immediate membership.

The NLC president also argued that accepting ₦250,000 in exchange for supporting a higher petrol price could have been viewed as a self-serving decision by labour leaders. He stressed that the country’s economic wellbeing extends beyond the interests of workers alone.

Nigeria’s minimum wage was subsequently increased from ₦30,000 to ₦70,000 after the government signed the new wage law in July 2024. The legislation provides for a statutory review after three years, putting the next review in 2027.

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