Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment Dr Kamil Shoretire said in Abuja on Tuesday, 22 September 2026, that the Federal Government is working toward announcing a new national minimum wage to ease hardship for workers.

Dr Kamil Shoretire spoke at a workshop for labour correspondents. He said talks with other stakeholders were already under way.

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The government, he said, had not set a date for formal negotiations but wanted an agreement.

“We are yet to announce the timetable for that, but background discussions are already ongoing,” he said. “When it’s time to get the press involved in what has been proposed and what is being negotiated, it will be revealed to you.”

He said the government was also engaging workers in sectors where pay and allowance disputes remain open. Organised labour has pressed for a review of the N70,000 national minimum wage approved in 2024.

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Unions have asked for N500,000 as the floor, an immediate wage award and petrol at N500 a litre. Dr Kamil Shoretire did not confirm any of those figures as the government’s offer.