The Chairperson of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Lagos State Council, Comrade Agnes Funmi Sessi, has clarified that the new national minimum wage of ₦70,000 applies only to workplaces with 20 or more employees.
She urged Nigerian workers to speak out against wage violations and to seek protection under existing labour laws.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Anchor News Online, Sessi stressed that the NLC continues to work closely with stakeholders across the public and private sectors, as well as international partners, to uphold workers’ rights and ensure fair labour practices.
“The role of labour is to protect workers’ rights, and that cannot be achieved without collaboration — locally and internationally,” she said, citing partnerships with the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC).
On wage enforcement, Sessi explained that while the minimum wage is legally binding only on organisations with at least 20 employees, all employers — regardless of size — have a moral duty to treat their workers fairly.
“Even if the law allows smaller employers to determine what to pay, they should remember that workers’ welfare is in their own best interest. Your driver, nanny, or domestic worker deserves fair treatment,” she said.
Addressing cases of non-compliance, particularly in the informal sector, Sessi said the NLC operates through its affiliate unions across various industries to engage employers and protect workers’ rights.
“Each sector has its own union — NUPENG and PENGASSAN for the oil sector, the Maritime Workers Union, and the National Union of Food, Beverage and Tobacco Employees, among others. The issue is more common in the private sector, where many firms engage workers as casuals to evade responsibilities,” she noted.
She commended recent government efforts to safeguard the rights of casual and contract workers, noting that the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity has issued a directive allowing them to unionise.
“Now, even casual workers can join a union and enjoy protection. That’s a major victory for the workforce,” she said.
Sessi further urged workers to stay informed about new labour policies and to take advantage of digital resources to verify information.
“In this digital age, information is everywhere. Workers can easily search online or visit NLC offices for clarification. Knowledge is freedom, and we’re always available to help,” she added.
The Lagos NLC has reiterated its commitment to ensuring full implementation of the ₦70,000 minimum wage and to securing greater protection for all categories of workers across Nigeria’s public and private sectors.
