The Nigeria Labour Congress, (NLC), has declared that it is fully prepared for a major nationwide struggle to secure a comprehensive review of Nigeria’s national minimum wage, while also pledging to push for the introduction of a national minimum pension for retirees.
Speaking at the commissioning of the Comrade Godwin Abumisi Pensioners Legacy House and Multipurpose Hall in Abuja, NLC President Joe Ajaero said organised labour would no longer accept discussions about workers’ welfare that exclude the welfare of pensioners.
Ajaero said the NLC was already laying the groundwork for a nationwide campaign aimed at improving the living conditions of both serving workers and retired civil servants.
He described the current economic hardship as unbearable, noting that the soaring cost of food, healthcare, transportation, and other essential services has made life increasingly difficult for Nigerians.
According to him, it is a historical injustice for retirees who dedicated decades of service to the nation to spend their retirement years living in poverty.
He stressed that every pensioner deserves to live with dignity and security after years of contributing to national development.
The NLC President also called for the immediate payment of all outstanding pension arrears and urged the federal government to implement a pension regime that guarantees a decent standard of living for retirees.
He appealed to workers and pensioners to remain united and prepare for the ideological and economic battles ahead, insisting that organised labour must remain strong enough to compel the government to fulfil its obligations.
Ajaero further described the newly commissioned Legacy House as more than just a building, saying it should serve as a centre for mobilisation, solidarity, and strategic engagement as labour prepares for future struggles.
The NLC maintained that it would continue fighting until every Nigerian worker and pensioner receives the justice, respect, and welfare they deserve.
