Nigeria Minimum Wage 2026: ₦70,000 Review Latest

Short answer: Nigeria's national minimum wage is still ₦70,000 per month as of 19 October 2026. The Federal Government says the next review is not due until 1 June 2027, while the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) wants negotiations to start now and has issued a two-week ultimatum that runs to around 23 October 2026. No new figure has been agreed, so any "new minimum wage" amount you see online is a proposal, not law.

What is the current minimum wage in Nigeria?

The legal floor is ₦70,000 a month. President Bola Tinubu signed the National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Act on 29 July 2024, raising the minimum from ₦30,000 after tripartite talks between government, organised labour and private-sector employers. The 2024 amendment also shortened the review cycle from five years to three.

Amount: ₦70,000 per month (gross).
Law: National Minimum Wage Act 2019, as amended in 2024.
Signed: 29 July 2024.
Review cycle: every three years.
Next statutory review (Federal Government position): 1 June 2027.

Is there a new minimum wage in 2026?

No. As of this update, there is no new national minimum wage and no confirmed implementation date. Here is where the dispute stands:

8 October 2026 – NLC ultimatum: After a joint meeting of its National Executive Council and Central Working Committee in Abuja, the NLC gave the Federal Government 14 days (from 9 October) to cut petrol prices and start renegotiating the minimum wage. NLC President Joe Ajaero warned that the union would take "remedial steps" if its demands were not met.
12 October 2026 – Government reply: Labour and Employment Minister Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi wrote that starting a fresh review barely two years into the current wage would be premature and inconsistent with the law. He said the National Minimum Wage Tripartite Committee will be convened "at the appropriate time" ahead of the June 2027 review.
13–15 October 2026 – NLC rejection: The NLC rejected that timeline, arguing that it is asking the government to begin negotiations, not to pay a new wage immediately, and that talks should start months before the current arrangement expires.

A warning of industrial action is not the same as a declared strike. At the time of writing, no nationwide strike date has been announced.

What is the NLC demanding?

Inaugurate the National Minimum Wage Tripartite Committee and start renegotiating a new national minimum wage before the end of October 2026.
Reduce petrol pump prices towards the level when the ₦70,000 wage was signed in 2024.
Pay wage awards to cushion workers against rising living costs.
Implement tax relief measures previously agreed with labour.
Implement the February 2026 settlement with the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) and address outstanding Joint Public Service Negotiating Council (JPSNC) demands.

Figures such as ₦100,000, ₦150,000 or ₦500,000 have appeared in reports and on social media as proposals or demands. None has been agreed by the tripartite committee, so treat them as negotiating positions only.

Who is entitled to the ₦70,000 minimum wage?

The minimum wage applies to employers in both the public and private sectors. However, Section 4 of the 2019 Act, which the 2024 amendment did not remove, lists exemptions. The national minimum does not apply to:

Workers employed part-time, or paid on a commission or piece-rate basis.
Establishments employing fewer than 25 people.
Workers in seasonal employment, such as agriculture.
People employed on a vessel or aircraft covered by merchant shipping or civil aviation laws.

If you work full-time for an employer with 25 or more staff, your gross monthly pay should not be below ₦70,000. Higher pay agreed in a collective agreement still stands.

Do states pay more than ₦70,000?

Some do. ₦70,000 is a floor, and several state governments have announced higher minimums for their own workers. NLC President Joe Ajaero has cited state figures ranging from about ₦75,000 to ₦104,000 (Imo State was reported at ₦104,000). These state figures apply only to that state's public servants, and actual take-home pay depends on grade level, salary structure and deductions such as pension contributions and any applicable tax.

What should workers do while talks continue?

Check your payslip. Confirm your gross monthly pay is at least ₦70,000 if you are covered by the Act.
Raise underpayment through the right channels. Speak to HR first, then your union. Labour inspectors from the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment can inspect wage records and recommend prosecution of employers who refuse to comply.
Follow official sources only. Rely on statements from the NLC, the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment and the State House, not forwarded messages announcing a "new wage".
Plan your career, not just your pay rise. Building in-demand skills is the surest route to earning well above the minimum. Browse current jobs in Nigeria or compare roles such as accountant jobs in Nigeria and customer service jobs in Nigeria.

Corps members should note that the NYSC monthly allowance is set separately. See our guide to the NYSC allowance in 2026.

Frequently asked questions

What is the minimum wage in Nigeria in 2026?

It is ₦70,000 per month under the National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Act 2024. No new national figure has been approved in 2026.

When will Nigeria's minimum wage be reviewed?

The Federal Government says the next review is due on 1 June 2027, three years after the current wage became law. The NLC wants negotiations to begin in October 2026 so that a new wage is ready by then.

Is the NLC going on strike over the minimum wage?

The NLC issued a two-week ultimatum on 8 October 2026, running to around 23 October. It has warned of "remedial steps" but, at the time of writing, has not announced a strike date.

Does the ₦70,000 minimum wage apply to small businesses?

Not to establishments with fewer than 25 employees, which are exempt under Section 4 of the 2019 Act. Part-time, commission-based and seasonal workers are also exempt.

Is ₦70,000 the take-home pay?

No. ₦70,000 is the gross minimum. Your net pay may be lower after statutory deductions such as pension contributions and any applicable tax.

Sources

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By the Jobsiz Editorial Team · Updated 19 October 2026. We will update this page when the tripartite committee is inaugurated or a new wage is agreed.

Nigeria Minimum Wage 2026: Is ₦70,000 Being Reviewed?