NLC president, Ajaero, laments Nigeria’s harsh realities, vows to continue fight for fair wages

The National President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Joe Ajaero, has lamented the struggles faced by the congress in getting some state governors to pay the national minimum wage of N70,000, despite the harsh economic realities in the country.

Ajaero made this known during the 2024 delegates conference of the youth council of the NLC, held in Abuja on Tuesday.

According to Ajaero, the harsh realities of Nigeria cannot be sugar-coated. He emphasized that the country is plagued by rising costs of food and amenities, with the rich growing richer at the expense of the poor. Ajaero noted that a bag of 50kg rice sells for N105,000, while transport from Abuja to Port Harcourt costs over N50,000. Decent housing and basic healthcare have become unaffordable, and the value of labor is often disregarded.

He said, “The harsh realities of our country cannot be sugar-coated. We live in a nation where the rich grow fatter on the sweat of the poor, where our youths struggle to find meaningful work, and where the value of labour is often trampled underfoot.

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“A bag of 50kg rice sells for N105,000, transport from Abuja to Portharcourt is above N50,000, decent housing has become a mirage while basic healthcare is out of reach as basic social services become elusive even as we have to struggle to get some governors to pay us a paltry N70,000 national minimum wage; the product of a law passed by the state?”

Ajaero’s comments come as the NLC continues to push for the implementation of the new national minimum wage. Despite the challenges, Ajaero remains determined, stating that “this is not a time for lamentation; it is a time for determination. No one will build our nation for us.” He emphasized the importance of youth participation in the trade union movement, urging them to take ownership of their responsibilities and not shy away from challenges.

The NLC president also announced plans to establish youth executive councils in every state council of the NLC. These councils will provide a platform for addressing youth-specific issues and deepening their participation in the trade union movement. The conference theme, “Youth and the New World of Work: Imperative of a New Social Contract,” highlights the need for youths to redefine what fairness and justice mean in the rapidly changing world of work.

Ajaero concluded by charging youths to remain focused, committed, and united in their pursuit of a better tomorrow. He assured them that the NLC stands firmly behind them, ready to support, guide, and fight alongside them.
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