During a tripartite committee meeting on the new minimum wage with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, organized labour leaders made a fresh demand. Sources at the meeting reported that the labour representatives insisted the government commit to a specific figure for the new minimum wage to facilitate further internal discussions. Despite this, the federal government has urged the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) to return to the negotiation table, with deliberations still ongoing as of late Monday evening.
The meeting, which began around 5 PM, was unexpectedly marked by the presence of soldiers at the venue. The NLC noted on its X handle that soldiers were surrounding the premises, which sparked concerns of intimidation among labour leaders. However, the Nigerian Army Headquarters clarified that the soldiers were part of the security detail for National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, who was also attending the meeting. The Army dismissed the claims of intimidation as “deliberate and misleading falsehoods.”
As the nationwide strike persists, the involvement of military escorts at the negotiation venue has added a layer of tension to the discussions. Despite the controversial presence of soldiers, the labour leaders have remained steadfast in their demands, aiming for a resolution that addresses the minimum wage concerns of Nigerian workers. The outcome of these ongoing negotiations remains critical for the future of labour relations in the country.