The Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) don talk say Nigerian workers no dey ask for just any wage increase, but one wey match current economic reality. NASU President, Comrade Makolo Hassan, make this known on Tuesday when the union hold im National Executive Council (NEC) meeting.
Hassan talk say the N70,000 national minimum wage don turn “slave wage”. He explain say although the N70,000 minimum wage na hard-won victory, prevailing economic realities don make am grossly inadequate. “With the increase in pump prices, astronomical rise in cost of food, transportation, housing, electricity, healthcare and other essential commodities, the current minimum wage has effectively become a slave wage that can no longer sustain Nigerian workers and their families,” he talk.
He call on the Federal Government to immediately set in motion machinery for urgent review of the wage in line with cost of living. Hassan also want government to institutionalise periodic wage reviews and cost-of-living adjustments. “Nigerian workers deserve not merely a minimum wage, but a living wage that guarantees decent living conditions and preserves purchasing power,” he talk.
Apart from living wage, Hassan talk say university workers dey demand affordable electricity with universal metering, end to estimated billing, and fair tariff system. Dem also want decisive intervention in housing crisis through workers’ housing schemes and protection against unreasonable rent increases.
The NASU president describe the successful conclusion and signing of the Year 2026 FGN/NASU Agreements as landmark achievement. He talk say the negotiations start since 2017. Agreement for universities and inter-university centres was signed on June 29, 2026, while those for polytechnics and colleges of education were signed on September 3, 2026. He commend the negotiating team for resilience.
On cost of living crisis, Hassan talk say government statistics on inflation improvements no reflect reality for homes and markets. He note say with food inflation at 20.31 per cent in July 2026, the Federal Government need to provide urgent support for farmers, security for farming communities, storage and transport infrastructure, and investment in domestic food production. He warn say nearly 35 million Nigerians fit face acute food insecurity for 2026 lean season.
On fuel subsidy removal, he talk say every increase in fuel cost dey quickly affect fares and food prices. Domestic refining, according to him, must translate to measurable relief, not higher margins for operators. Government must also expand affordable mass transportation and assess CNG interventions.
Hassan still reject increasing casualisation of labour.
