NLC President, Ajaero:Laments Soaring Electricity, Telecom Tariffs Wipe Out Minimum Wage Gains

President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero has decried the impact of skyrocketing electricity and telecommunications tariffs on Nigerian workers, stating that the increases have effectively swallowed the entire minimum wage, leaving many workers struggling to survive.

Speaking at the Trade Union Congress (TUC) delegates conference in Abuja, Ajaero lamented that the recent rise in electricity bills and telecom charges has made the newly proposed ₦70,000 minimum wage meaningless. “By the time a worker pays for power and communication, there’s nothing left,” he said.

The labour leader pointed out that the burden is worsened by an aggressive taxation system. According to him, most workers now see deductions that nearly match the value of their pay, making the wage increase largely symbolic. He questioned how workers could survive under such conditions when even basic needs like power and phone access are out of reach.

Ajaero also criticized recent government approval of higher electricity tariffs, which reportedly surpass the monthly minimum wage for many households. Similarly, he condemned the telecom sector for implementing a 50% price hike, calling it an assault on already-stretched incomes.

The NLC has consistently opposed these price hikes, previously threatening to mobilize nationwide protests before suspending action to allow for dialogue with the government. Still, Ajaero warned that workers’ patience is wearing thin and urged authorities to reconsider policies that push more people into poverty.

He called on civil society and labour allies to unite in demanding a better deal for workers, emphasizing that economic reforms must prioritize human welfare, not just fiscal numbers.

The growing unrest reflects broader frustrations among Nigerians facing inflation, subsidy removal effects, and stagnant incomes a reality that threatens the nation’s social and economic stability.