The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, has warned that introducing a ₦1 million minimum wage could have serious consequences for Nigeria’s economy if the underlying economic challenges are not addressed.
Ajaero made the remarks during an interview on Channels Television’s *The Morning Brief* on Thursday, October 29, 2026, amid discussions between organised labour and the Federal Government over workers’ wages and welfare.
“N1,000,000 minimum wage will collapse the Nigerian economy,” the labour leader stated.
According to Ajaero, increasing workers’ salaries alone would not resolve the financial difficulties facing Nigerians. He argued that the government should prioritise reducing the cost of living and improving the purchasing power of the naira.
The NLC president stressed that rising prices of essential goods and services continue to put pressure on workers, making it necessary for the government to address the factors driving inflation and the high cost of living.
He maintained that wage adjustments should be considered alongside measures that would make food, transportation, housing and other basic necessities more affordable.
Ajaero’s comments come amid renewed discussions about minimum wage adjustments and additional support for workers struggling with rising expenses.
The Federal Government recently approved a ₦70,000 transport intervention for workers for six months to help cushion the impact of rising transportation costs. The development has also generated debate among labour unions over the adequacy of the relief.
Nigeria’s current national minimum wage of ₦70,000 was introduced in 2024, following negotiations between the Federal Government and organised labour.
While Ajaero’s warning highlights concerns about the sustainability of a substantial wage increase, the central issue remains how to improve workers’ earnings without allowing rising prices to erode their value.
His position reinforces labour’s call for policies that address the broader economic challenges affecting Nigerian households, rather than relying on salary increases alone.
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