NLC Abandons Stadium Ceremony for Nationwide Protest, Demands ₦154,000 Minimum Wage

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) abandoned the traditional Workers' Day stadium rally on May 1, instead leading nationwide street protests demanding an upward revision of the national minimum wage from ₦70,000 to ₦154,000. NLC President Joe Ajaero cited an inflation rate of 15.38% in March, soaring fuel prices, and estimated youth unemployment of 80% as making the 2024 wage figure already inadequate. The protests underscored widening cost-of-living pressures following the 2023 fuel subsidy removal and the naira devaluation.