Employers’ body says pre-engagement with organised labour ahead of 2027 wage negotiations will reduce disputes and economic disruptions.
By Anita Babalola – LAGOS — May 12, 2026
The Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) has called for early back-end negotiations between employers and organised labour ahead of the next national minimum wage review, warning that delayed engagement could trigger avoidable industrial disputes and economic instability.
Director-General of NECA, Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, made the call during an interview where he addressed labour relations, economic reforms, insecurity, unemployment, and the evolving future of work in Nigeria.
NECA Pushes for Pre-Engagement on Minimum Wage
Oyerinde said employers are prepared to return to the negotiation table before the next national minimum wage review expected in 2027.
According to him, early consultations between organised labour and employers before formal committee meetings would help both sides harmonise positions and avoid the tensions that characterised previous negotiations.
“We hope organised labour will find it necessary for us to hold pre-meetings and pre-engagement sessions before we reach the committee level,” he said.
He explained that prior consultations would enable stakeholders to agree on practical parameters and realistic figures before official negotiations commence.
Employers Back Decent Wages, Says NECA
The NECA boss maintained that the private sector supports decent wages and better welfare for workers despite prevailing economic pressures.
He noted that many companies in the private sector already pay salaries above the current N70,000 minimum wage.
According to him, employers remain committed to ensuring workers are not subjected to poor working conditions or exploitative pay structures.
“We advocate responsible business conduct in which employers are responsible not only to government but especially to their workers,” he stated.
He added that NECA is also participating in ongoing international discussions on living wages through the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the International Organisation of Employers (IOE).
Inflation, Fuel Costs Deepening Economic Pressure
Oyerinde expressed concern over worsening inflation and rising energy costs linked to global tensions in the Middle East, warning that the economic impact is affecting businesses, workers, and households alike.
He said Nigeria’s inability to fully maximise its crude oil production quota under the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) arrangement has weakened the country’s economic gains from rising global oil prices.
According to him, higher fuel prices continue to increase transportation, logistics, and production costs, ultimately pushing the burden onto consumers.
Calls for Innovative Government Support Measures
To cushion the hardship on Nigerians, Oyerinde urged government at all levels to introduce targeted transportation support systems, including free or subsidised state-owned buses during peak hours.
He also advocated increased investment in renewable energy and compressed natural gas (CNG) transportation infrastructure.
“We just have to come up with innovative ways to address these issues because they cut across everybody,” he said.
Security Challenges Hindering Investment
The NECA Director-General also identified insecurity as a major obstacle to economic growth and job creation in Nigeria.
He noted that investors are reluctant to establish businesses in regions plagued by violence and instability, particularly in the North-East.
According to him, insecurity has disrupted agriculture, weakened local economies, and exposed unemployed youths to recruitment by criminal groups and bandits.
He, however, commended the efforts of the Nigerian military while calling for intensified security operations to restore investor confidence.
NECA Calls for Job Creation and Curriculum Reform
Addressing rising unemployment and skills mismatch among graduates, Oyerinde urged the government to prioritise private sector-led job creation through tax incentives and business support measures.
He argued that businesses remain the largest creators of employment opportunities in Nigeria.
The NECA boss also called for urgent reforms in the country’s education curriculum to align with emerging realities in artificial intelligence, information technology, and digital innovation.
“With the advent of AI and ICT, it would be unfortunate if we were still running the courses we ran 10 years ago,” he warned.
Message to Nigerian Workers
Ahead of Workers’ Day celebrations, Oyerinde commended organised labour groups, including the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, for sustaining industrial productivity despite economic challenges.
He praised workers for their resilience and called for continued cooperation between employers and labour unions to improve productivity, wages, and working conditions.
Conclusion
As discussions around the next minimum wage review gradually begin to emerge, NECA’s push for early consultations reflects growing concerns over labour stability amid Nigeria’s economic pressures.
Stakeholders are expected to intensify engagements in the coming months as debates over wages, inflation, unemployment, and workers’ welfare continue to dominate the national discourse.
Leave a Reply