Obidient Movement backs NLC demand for ₦154,000 minimum wage amid rising inflation

The Obidient Movement backs the NLC's push for a higher minimum wage, citing high inflation and a ₦150 trillion national debt. Read the full Workers' Day report.

By: AXL Media

Published: May 1, 2026, 5:45 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from The Punch

Support for Organized Labour’s Wage Demands

On Workers’ Day 2026, the Obidient Movement Worldwide formally backed the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in its negotiation for a significant upward review of the national minimum wage. National Coordinator Yunusa Tanko issued a tribute in Abuja, urging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to adopt the NLC’s proposal of ₦154,000 per month. Tanko emphasized that the current ₦70,000 minimum wage, established under the 2024 Act, has been rendered insufficient by the rapid depletion of the naira's purchasing power and worsening economic conditions.

Economic Statistics and Workforce Challenges

Citing data from the Nigeria Labour Force Survey for Q1 2025, Tanko highlighted that approximately 116.6 million Nigerians—roughly 53.8% of the population—make up the country's working-age group. Despite this substantial labor force, the movement lamented that government policies have failed to create a stable environment. He noted that since the current administration took office, unemployment rates have climbed by over 5.3%, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). This spike has led to the closure of small businesses and multinationals alike, displacing breadwinners across the country.

Criticism of Government Spending and Debt

The Obidient Movement raised concerns over the government's fiscal priorities, pointing to the allocation of residential plots and housing for ambassadorial designates while workers struggle to afford basic necessities. Tanko further warned that Nigeria’s rising debt profile, which now exceeds ₦150 trillion, poses a direct threat to economic stability. With a significant portion of the 2026 budget currently dedicated to debt servicing, the movement argued that without urgent intervention in workers' welfare, the gap between the ruling class and the labor force will continue to widen.