The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has announced plans to launch a new campaign to secure a Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) for Nigerian workers, citing the severe economic challenges facing citizens under the current administration.

In an interview with Vanguard, NLC President Joe Ajaero expressed disappointment that the N70,000 new national minimum wage has failed to cushion the effects of inflation and rising living costs. He revealed that during wage negotiations, labour had proposed a minimum wage tied to real living expenses and inflation, but the government delegation arrived unprepared and resistant to such terms.

Ajaero highlighted key concerns about transportation, food, housing, and utilities, noting that the government failed to address these cost drivers meaningfully. He also criticized the government for reneging on its promise not to increase fuel prices after the unions accepted the N70,000 proposal following nationwide protests and strikes.

“The value of that N70,000 has been completely eroded,” Ajaero lamented, adding that the temporary wage relief granted to workers has also ceased. He asserted that these failures have given the labour unions valid grounds to demand a COLA to help workers cope with ongoing economic hardship.

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