Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja
The Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) has stated Nigerian employees are searching for for wage enhance which might be in keeping with present financial actuality.
NASU President, Comrade Makolo Hassan, who spoke on the National Executive Council (NEC) assembly of NASU on Tuesday, stated that the N70,000 nationwide minimal wage has grow to be a “slave wage”, insisting Nigerian employees deserve a dwelling wage that ensures dignity and survival.
He stated that aside from a dwelling wage, the. college employees are demanding reasonably priced electrical energy with common metering, finish to estimated billing, and truthful tariff system, in addition to decisive intervention in housing disaster via employees’ housing schemes and safety towards unreasonable hire will increase.
Hassan stated whereas the N70,000 minimal wage was a hard-won victory, prevailing financial realities have rendered it grossly insufficient.
“With the increase in pump prices, astronomical rise in cost of food, transportation, housing, electricity, healthcare and other essential commodities, the current minimum wage has effectively become a slave wage that can no longer sustain Nigerian workers and their families,” he stated.
He subsequently referred to as on the Federal Government to right away set in movement equipment for pressing evaluate of the wage in keeping with price of dwelling, and institutionalise periodic wage evaluations and cost-of-living changes.
“Nigerian workers deserve not merely a minimum wage, but a living wage that guarantees decent living conditions and preserves purchasing power,” he stated.
The NASU president described as landmark achievement, the profitable conclusion and signing of the Year 2026 FGN/NASU Agreements after negotiations that began since 2017.
He stated settlement for universities and inter-university centres was signed on June 29, 2026, whereas these for polytechnics and faculties of training have been signed on September 3, 2026, commending the negotiating group for resilience.
On price of dwelling disaster, Hassan stated that authorities’s statistics on inflation enhancements don’t mirror actuality in properties and markets.
He famous that with meals inflation at 20.31 per cent in July 2026, the Federal Government wants to offer pressing help for farmers, safety for farming communities, storage and transport infrastructure and funding in home meals manufacturing,
He warned that almost 35 million Nigerians may face acute meals insecurity in 2026 lean season.
On gas subsidy elimination, he stated each enhance in gas price rapidly impacts on fares and meals costs.
Domestic refining, he stated, should translate to measurable reduction, not increased margins for operators, whereas authorities should increase reasonably priced mass transportation and assess CNG interventions.
He additionally demanded reasonably priced electrical energy with common metering, finish to estimated billing, and truthful tariff system, in addition to decisive intervention in housing disaster via employees’ housing schemes and safety towards unreasonable hire will increase.
Hassan rejected growing casualisation of labour and exploitation of contract employment to disclaim employees job safety and advantages, demanding equal pay for equal worth and regularisation of informal employees. He reaffirmed collective bargaining and freedom of affiliation as elementary rights.
On the financial system, he stated youth unemployment stays essential, with tens of millions coming into labour market yearly to fulfill casualisation. NASU calls for nationwide employment technique anchored on apprenticeship and vocational training, and organising of casual sector employees.
He decried de-industrialisation, noting that Monetary Policy Rate at 26.5 per cent creates high-cost credit score hostile to manufacturing, demanding reasonably priced developmental finance.
He stated GDP development of three.89 per cent in Q1 2026 means little if wages can not feed households, insisting progress should be measured by respectable jobs and dwelling wages.
Hassan lamented mass poverty, citing World Bank estimate that 63 per cent of Nigerians lived beneath poverty line in 2025, calling for progressive tax system the place wealth is taxed, scrutiny of borrowing and debt servicing, and accountability for elevated revenues to states.
He additionally raised healthcare and training disaster, mind drain of docs, nurses, lecturers and technicians because of poor circumstances, demanding immediate cost of pensions and gratuities.
On insecurity, he stated banditry and kidnapping threaten respectable work, insisting safety of farmers and rural employees should be nationwide labour precedence.
He urged labour to set agenda for 2027 elections round jobs, dwelling wages, public providers and safety, saying employees should assess each candidate on these requirements.
Earlier whereas declaring the occasion open, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Muhammad Dingyadi, stated that the Federal Government is conscious of challenges financial reforms pose for employees and is dedicated to cushioning their results.
He stated that was why the administration applied N70,000 minimal wage with unprecedented velocity and continues engagement with labour to boost buying energy.
“I assure you Ministry of Labour remains your partner. My doors are always open,” Dingyadi stated, pledging to handle reputable calls for via social dialogue and collective bargaining.
He urged members to advertise effectivity, accountability and excessive work ethics, commending NASU President, Dr. Makolo Hassan, and General Secretary, Prince Peters Adeyemi, for sustaining industrial peace.
He recommended NASU for sustaining industrial concord and being antagonistic, noting that the union is predicted to advance employees’ welfare via constructive engagement whereas safeguarding instructional system stability.
