The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has directed workers in states yet to fully implement the 2024 National Minimum Wage Act to boycott traditional indoor May Day celebrations and instead take to the streets in protest on May 1, 2026.
In a directive issued by its National Secretary, Comrade Emmanuel Ugboaja on Friday, the NLC said workers in defaulting states must organise peaceful street processions to press their demands for full compliance with the new wage law.
The labour union described the failure of some state governments to implement the law as a “Violation of workers’ rights” and an “Assault on the dignity of Nigerian workers.”
According to the directive, workers were to gather at labour houses, union secretariats, or public squares by 7:00 a.m. on May Day before embarking on organised marches through major streets in their respective state capitals.
The directive partly reads: “May Day, the international day of the working class, has always been a day of solemn reflection on the state of workers’ rights and a celebration of our collective efforts in building the wealth of nations.
“Regrettably, several state governments have continued to violate the 2024 National Minimum Wage Act, refusing to fully implement its key provisions, including consequential adjustments for senior workers, regular and timely payment of the new wage, and extension of coverage to Local Government staff, primary school teachers and health workers.”
The Labour movement also ordered the suspension of all official May Day receptions or indoor ceremonies organised in collaboration with state governments that have not complied with the wage law.
“There shall be no May Day ceremonies inside government houses, banquet halls, or any enclosed venue hosted by or in collaboration with defaulting state governments. Official receptions are hereby suspended.”
Instead, the union instructed its state councils to plan protest routes that would terminate at strategic government institutions such as Government Houses, State Houses of Assembly, or offices of the Heads of Service.
At the end of the marches, workers were expected to formally present memoranda detailing their demands to the authorities.
The NLC warned that the directive was binding on all its state councils and cautioned that any labour leader who fails to comply would face disciplinary action.
“This directive is binding on all affected state councils. Any chairperson who fails to comply or substitutes this directive with any form of passive celebration in a defaulting state shall face immediate disciplinary action.”
The NLC eminded workers that the minimum wage law was the result of years of struggle and should not be treated lightly.
“The 2024 Minimum Wage Act did not come through supplication. It came through struggle. To celebrate May Day indoors while our rights are trampled upon is to betray that legacy. Let us therefore return to the streets.”
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