Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja
The Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) has stated Nigerian staff are searching for for wage improve which might be according to 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 staff deserve a dwelling wage that ensures dignity and survival.
He stated that aside from a dwelling wage, the. college staff are demanding inexpensive electrical energy with common metering, finish to estimated billing, and truthful tariff system, in addition to decisive intervention in housing disaster by way of staff’ 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 due to this fact referred to as on the Federal Government to instantly set in movement equipment for pressing evaluate of the wage according to 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 crew for resilience.
On price of dwelling disaster, Hassan stated that authorities’s statistics on inflation enhancements don’t replicate actuality in houses and markets.
He famous that with meals inflation at 20.31 per cent in July 2026, the Federal Government wants to supply 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 might face acute meals insecurity in 2026 lean season.
On gasoline subsidy removing, he stated each improve in gasoline price shortly impacts on fares and meals costs.
Domestic refining, he stated, should translate to measurable aid, not greater margins for operators, whereas authorities should develop inexpensive mass transportation and assess CNG interventions.
He additionally demanded inexpensive electrical energy with common metering, finish to estimated billing, and truthful tariff system, in addition to decisive intervention in housing disaster by way of staff’ housing schemes and safety towards unreasonable hire will increase.
Hassan rejected rising casualisation of labour and exploitation of contract employment to disclaim staff job safety and advantages, demanding equal pay for equal worth and regularisation of informal staff. He reaffirmed collective bargaining and freedom of affiliation as basic rights.
On the financial system, he stated youth unemployment stays essential, with hundreds of thousands getting into labour market yearly to fulfill casualisation. NASU calls for nationwide employment technique anchored on apprenticeship and vocational training, and organising of casual sector staff.
He decried de-industrialisation, noting that Monetary Policy Rate at 26.5 per cent creates high-cost credit score hostile to manufacturing, demanding inexpensive 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 medical doctors, nurses, teachers and technicians on account of poor situations, demanding immediate fee of pensions and gratuities.
On insecurity, he stated banditry and kidnapping threaten respectable work, insisting safety of farmers and rural staff should be nationwide labour precedence.
He urged labour to set agenda for 2027 elections round jobs, dwelling wages, public companies and safety, saying staff 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 staff and is dedicated to cushioning their results.
He stated that was why the administration carried out N70,000 minimal wage with unprecedented pace and continues engagement with labour to reinforce buying energy.
“I assure you Ministry of Labour remains your partner. My doors are always open,” Dingyadi stated, pledging to deal with respectable calls for by way of 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 anticipated to advance staff’ welfare by way of constructive engagement whereas safeguarding instructional system stability.
