The Federal Workers Forum has dismissed the proposed N100,000 national minimum wage as a “Greek gift” and issued President Tinubu a one-month deadline to address insecurity, unpaid arrears and deepening economic hardship — or face an indefinite nationwide strike.
June 1, 2026 · Abuja, Nigeria · Source: NAN / Peoples Gazette · 4 min read
Nigeria’s Federal Workers Forum has flatly rejected the proposed N100,000 national minimum wage canvassed by state governors, calling it wholly insufficient and accusing the government of hypocrisy — given that many of those same governors claimed they could not afford the previous N70,000 floor.
The communiqué, issued at the conclusion of a Saturday meeting and opinion poll, was signed by FWF national coordinator Andrew Emelieze, national secretary Ayo Ogundele, and national mobilisation officer Aminu Yerima. It outlined a sweeping set of grievances covering wages, security, unpaid allowances and the overall cost of living.
The wage grievance
“These same governors, most of whom said they could not afford the N70,000 minimum wage, are now proposing N100,000. To us, this is the height of hypocrisy.” — Federal Workers Forum communiqué
Security and the 30-day ultimatum
Beyond wages, the forum trained heavy fire on the country’s deteriorating security landscape. It said workers and ordinary citizens were falling prey daily to kidnappings, killings and other violent crimes, noting that schools had become prime targets — with children still held captive in various parts of the country.
The forum called on the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress to immediately declare an indefinite nationwide strike, citing the government’s failure to guarantee the safety and welfare of workers. It also expressed support for nationwide protests and rallies beginning today, June 1, and called for the convocation of a sovereign national conference to address broader constitutional and governance failures.
The forum made clear the patience of the workforce is exhausted, warning that continued government inaction risks deepening public dissatisfaction beyond the point of return.
