Workers in states where the National Minimum Wage Act of 2024 was either not implemented at all or only partially implemented have been instructed by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to observe May Day in 2026 on the streets of their states as a protest against the state governments’ refusal to follow the act’s provisions.

Additionally, it forbade the impacted employees from having any form of indoor reception and threatened to punish members who failed to comply.

In a statement signed by its General Secretary, Emmanuel Ugboaja, the congress expressed disapproval with the condition of affairs when the government ignores the misery of workers.

The following is a portion of the NLC statement that was made available to reporters in Abuja on Friday:

“The national leadership of Congress extends its brotherly greetings to you! May Day, the international day of the working class, has traditionally been a time for serious contemplation of the status of workers’ rights and a celebration of our shared efforts to consistently increase the wealth of nations.

Unfortunately, a number of state governments have persisted in breaking the 2024 National Minimum Wage Act by refusing to fully implement its essential provisions, such as the extension of coverage to local government employees, primary school teachers, and health workers, as well as consequential adjustments for senior workers and regular and timely payment of the new wage.

This is an attack on the dignity of Nigerian workers as well as a violation of the law.

As a result, the following instructions are given to all State Councils in states where complete implementation has not yet been attained:

1. No official or indoor receptions Government buildings, banquet halls, or any other enclosed space used by defaulting state governments or in cooperation with them are not permitted to conduct May Day festivities. This suspends official receptions.

2. The Main Event: Street Processions By 7:00 a.m. on May 1, 2026, all employees must gather at designated labor homes, union secretariats, or public squares. From there, you will march in orderly, peaceful, and determined processions through the streets of your individual state capitals.

Routes and Final Destination: Every State Council must create a route that ends at the State Government House, the State House of Assembly, or the Head of Service’s office.

At the conclusion, a written statement of demands must be submitted.

All State Councils that are impacted by this regulation must abide by it. Any chairperson who disobeys this instruction or replaces it with a passive celebration in a state of default will be disciplined right away. Reports are anticipated right away.

“Comrades, it was not through prayer that the 2024 Minimum Wage Act was passed.

It was the result of hardship. It would be a betrayal of that tradition to spend May Day indoors while our rights are violated. So let’s go back to the streets!

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The Abuja Electricity Distribution offices in Abuja, Kogi, Nasarawa, and Niger have been closed by the Nigeria Labour Congress due to the widespread termination of more than 900 employees.

As of Wednesday morning, it was noted that the Disco’s offices in Kogi, Minna, Niger, and Nasarawa States, as well as portions of the country’s capital, were secured with locks and keys.

This occurs one day after the NLC picketed AEDC’s headquarters due to the contentious disengagement of about 900 employees, under the leadership of its president, Joe Ajaero.

According to Ajaero, the situation began approximately six months ago when AEDC management stated that the disengagement would only impact employees who had reached retirement age or were about to do so; in reality, the opposite was true.

The union intervened at that time on the basis of that understanding. A responsible labor leader would not be against employees who have reached retirement age.

The most of individuals impacted were not old enough to retire. Some had not even served for five or six years. Many had only been employed for two or three years, in actuality. “That’s the pinnacle of dishonesty,” he said.

Darkness looms over three states and Abuja.

AEDC management was given a 48-hour deadline by NLC on Tuesday to settle the issue or risk increased labor action that might severely disrupt the Federal Capital Territory’s and three other states’ electricity supplies.

“We cannot guarantee the supply of power if nothing is done within that time.” He cautioned that if the employees who maintain the system are not at work, it will inevitably be impacted since they will remain at home.

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