Members of the organized labour in Nigeria on Tuesday began series of protests aimed at drawing public attention to the lingering negotiations on the new national minimum wage in the country.

In Abuja, the nation’s capital, the labour leaders held a rally with hundreds of workers pouring into the streets to protest the delay by the Federal Government in approving and implementing the proposed ₦30,000 minimum wage.


The protesting workers under the auspices of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) marched through the Federal Secretariat axis but were intercepted by security operatives as they were heading towards Aso Rock Villa.

In Lagos State, the nation’s commercial capital, the protesters embarked on a peaceful protest along Ikorodu Road. The protest caused a traffic gridlock from the Onipanu Bus Stop area to Obanikoro Bus Stop as of the time of filing this report.

The protesters, who carried placards with different inscriptions were seen holding flags of the Nigeria Labour Congress and sharing fliers which detailed their demands from government to passers-by.

One flier  titled ‘National Day of Mourning and Outrage’ said the Organized Labour was in mourning  because they receive the lowest salaries in the world while government officials including the president, governors, legislators and ministers in the country ranked among the highest paid in the world.

A footnote on the flier called on all residents in the state to buy foodstuff in bulk as markets, shops, businesses, offices, transportation and filling stations in the state will be shut when its proposed strike  scheduled for November 6 commences.

In Imo State, demonstrations were held by NLC members in Owerri, the state capital. The protesters comprising mostly of government employees caused major traffic gridlock in the New Owerri axis of the state capital.

Displaying placards with inscriptions that expressed their message, the protesters urged their employers to halt further delays in the implementation of their demand for an increase in the minimum wage which is based on  the high cost of living in the country.

The NLC chairman in the state, Austin Chilapku told reporters during the demonstration that they were on the enlightenment rally to press home their demand for an increase in the new minimum wage.