Kamil Shoretire Minimum Wage Negotiations: 5 Talking Points

FG wants a new minimum wage. Perm Sec Kamil Shoretire said so. No date yet. But background talks have started.

Direct Answer

The Federal Government is working on a new minimum wage. Dr Kamil Shoretire confirmed it. He is the Permanent Secretary. He works at the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment. He spoke in Abuja. It was at a workshop for labour correspondents. He said no timetable is fixed. He said consultations are ongoing.

I, David Atulegwu, reviewed the statements. I tracked the reports. The government faces fresh pressure. Workers want a new wage before January 2027. That demand came from the Joint Council. You can see the report by The Sun on that demand. You can also read coverage on Arise TV about the ILO petition. And this update from PM News Nigeria summarised Shoretire’s remarks. So yes, talks are coming. But they are not formal yet.

What The Document Covers

This is not a law yet. It is not a circular. It is a negotiation brief. It is what unions and employers use. It frames minimum wage talks.

In Nigeria, minimum wage talks follow a pattern. Labour asks. Government consults. Employers respond. A tripartite committee is set up. That committee then negotiates.

Your own document could be different. It could be a memo. It could be a position paper. It could be a formal letter. For a civil servant in Abia, it is a council demand. For a bank staff in Lagos, it is an internal memo. For a factory worker in Aba, it is a union letter.

What matters is clarity. What do you want? Why do you want it? How will it work?

Who Needs It

Many people need this brief right now.

Federal civil servants. You earn under the national minimum wage structure. You want clarity on next steps.
State workers. Your state may not pay N70,000 yet. You need leverage.
Private sector staff. You work in banks, schools, supermarkets, and logistics firms. Your employer must comply.
HR managers and business owners. You run SMEs in Onitsha, Kano, or Port Harcourt. You must plan payroll.
Union excos. You are in NLC, TUC, or JNPSNC. You will sit at the table.
Corps members and new graduates. You want to know entry-level pay trends.

If you pay staff, you need it. If you are paid, you need it.

When You Should Use It

Use it now. Don’t wait for the announcement. Background talks have started. Formal talks will follow.

Use it when:

Your workplace has not complied with N70,000.
You are preparing for budget review in Q4.
You are writing to management about cost of living.
You are a union leader drafting demands.
You are an employer planning for 2026/2027 payroll.

Timing matters in Nigeria. Once the committee is named, things move fast. The Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment will publish updates. Always check their official handle. And confirm with NLC or TUC channels.

Information To Include

Your negotiation note must be simple. It must be factual. Don’t guess laws.

Include these:

Your current salary structure. Be specific.
Your cost-of-living reality. Use market prices.
Compliance status. Are you on N70,000 or not?
Productivity data. What has your team delivered?
Affordability argument. Can your employer pay?
Proposed figure and effective date.
Legal backing. Cite the National Minimum Wage Act 2019 as amended in 2024.

Don’t invent figures. Don’t quote fake circulars. If you cite a law, cite correctly. If you are unsure, say you will confirm from the Ministry.

Here are the 5 talking points from Shoretire’s disclosure. I broke them down for you.

Talking Point	What Shoretire Said	Why It Matters To You
1. No date, but work has started	Consultations ongoing. Timetable not announced.	You have time to prepare. Don’t panic.
2. Economic hardship is real	New wage aims to ease hardship.	Use real food, transport, rent data.
3. ILO pressure is on FG	FG responded to NLC petition at ILO.	International scrutiny means FG must act.
4. Workers want early committee	JNPSNC wants committee before Jan 2027.	Expect committee in late 2026.
5. Tripartite talks remain the model	Government, labour, employers must agree.	Your voice matters, but consensus wins.

Step-by-Step Instructions

You want to join the conversation. You want to write a strong note. Follow this.

Step 1: Gather facts.
Check your payslip. Check your state’s compliance. Lagos pays. Some states lag. Ask your HR.

Step 2: Track prices.
Go to Ariaria Market or Mile 12. Note rice, garri, transport. Keep receipts. Use them as proof.

Step 3: Know your structure.
Are you on CONPSS? CONHESS? Or private salary scale? Know your grade.

Step 4: Draft your position.
Keep it one page. Short sentences. Clear ask.

Step 5: Consult your union or association.
NULGE, NUT, ASUU, or your staff association. Don’t act alone if you have a union.

Step 6: Send and follow up.
Use official channel. Email and hard copy. Keep acknowledgment.

Complete Nigerian Sample / Template

This is for a federal worker. I wrote it as David Atulegwu would approve. Short. Punchy. Nigerian.

—
From: Comrade Emeka O.
Staff No: FMC/AB/1234
Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia
Date: 24 September 2026

To: The Chairman
Joint Negotiating Council, Abia Chapter

Subject: Position Note Ahead of New Minimum Wage Talks

Sir,

I write ahead of the new wage talks. Dr Kamil Shoretire announced consultations. No date is fixed yet. But we must prepare.

My current net is N72,000. My rent moved from N250k to N400k. Transport doubled. My grade is CONHESS 7.

My unit serves 80 patients daily. We work with few staff. We need a wage that keeps us.

I propose we ask for N105,000 minimum. And full implementation by March 2027. And enforcement for states and private schools.

I attach my payslip and price list. I am ready to join the committee.

Thanks.

Emeka O.
0803 123 4567
—

That sample works. It is direct. It is not abusive. It cites Shoretire’s disclosure.

Alternative Sample For Another Realistic Situation

This one is for a private school teacher in Aba. Private schools often default.

—
From: Miss Chiamaka U.
Class Teacher, Bright Future Academy, Aba
Date: 24 September 2026

To: The Proprietor / HR Manager

Subject: Request For Salary Review In Line With National Minimum Wage

Sir / Ma,

I write with respect. The FG pays N70,000 as minimum wage. Dr Shoretire said talks for a new wage have started. My current pay is N45,000.

I teach Primary 4 and 5. I handle 42 pupils. I close by 4pm. I buy teaching aids myself.

Transport from Osisioma to Aba is now N800 daily. I spend N16,000 monthly. Food costs rose.

I ask for a review to N70,000. And for us to prepare for the new wage. This will help retention.

I am open to discussion. My account remains Access Bank.

Thank you.

Chiamaka
—

Two different contexts. Same logic. Use facts. Use respect. Don’t threaten.

How To Submit / Send It

Submission depends on where you work.

Federal MDAs. Submit through your union chapter. Then to the Head of Service via your admin department. Keep a stamped copy.
State service. Submit to your state NLC or JNPSNC. They collate positions. In Abia, Imo, or Rivers, processes differ slightly. So ask your chapter secretary.
Private sector. Submit to HR. And copy your line manager. If you are in a bank like GTB or First Bank, use the staff portal too.
SME or school. Give hard copy. And send WhatsApp follow-up. Keep it professional.

Don’t post it on Twitter first. Don’t leak it. Official channels work better.

Always check the latest guidance from the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment. Their website and verified X handle publish updates. Don’t rely on blogs for circulars.

Workplace	Where To Send	What To Attach
Federal civil service	Union chapter + Admin/HR	Payslip, grade level, price list
State civil service	State JNPSNC / NLC	State payslip, compliance proof
Private company / bank	HR + Line Manager	Offer letter, KPI sheet, cost list
Private school / SME in Aba	Proprietor / Owner	Attendance record, fee collection data

What Happens After Submission

After you submit, four things happen.

Acknowledgment. Your union or HR logs it.
Collation. All notes are merged. Common demands emerge.
Committee formation. FG names a tripartite committee. This includes FG, NLC/TUC, and NECA. That is the standard model.
Negotiation and announcement. Talks start. Figures are debated. Then a new wage is announced.

Will it be easy? No. States will argue affordability. Private employers will cite low sales. Labour will cite inflation.

The N70,000 wage took months. The next one may take months too. But Shoretire’s statement shows intent. FG wants to avoid strikes. FG wants to meet ILO expectations.

If your workplace complies now, they will adjust later. If they don’t comply now, push for compliance first. You can’t negotiate a new wage if old one is ignored.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

I see these errors a lot. I, David Atulegwu, have reviewed many letters. Avoid them.

You quote fake law. Don’t write “FG said N120k is new wage.” FG didn’t.
You use long grammar. Short wins. Long bores.
You attack your boss. Don’t call him wicked. Be firm but respectful.
You ignore your state reality. Kano’s IGR is not Lagos’ IGR. Argue with data.
You forget productivity. Wage is not dash. Show value.
You don’t attach proof. Payslip matters. Price list matters.
You post online before submitting. That kills goodwill.

Also avoid US examples. Don’t cite US Department of Labor. Use Nigerian institutions. Use Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment. Use National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission. Use your state wage office.

Mistake	Why It Hurts	What To Do Instead
Inventing a circular number	HR will dismiss you	Say “pending official circular”
Demanding without data	You look unserious	Attach rent, transport, food costs
Writing 3 pages	No one reads it	Keep it to one page
Skipping union	You lose backing	Copy your union chairman

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a new minimum wage fixed already?
No. Shoretire said consultations are ongoing. No date is fixed. Don’t believe WhatsApp broadcasts.

What is current minimum wage?
N70,000. Approved in 2024. Signed into law. Some states and private firms still default. Enforcement is uneven.

Will FG pay arrears?
That depends on the final agreement. Past wages had arrears. But don’t assume. Wait for the official communiqué.

Does N70k apply to private schools and shops?
Yes. The Act covers all employers. But small businesses struggle. So compliance varies. Check with your state labour office.

I earn N45k in Aba. What do I do?
Write as shown above. Attach proof. Submit to your proprietor. And report to Abia State Ministry of Labour if ignored. But first, try dialogue.

When will negotiations start?
Shoretire didn’t give a date. JNPSNC wants it before January 2027. Expect late 2026. Follow the Ministry for updates.

Can my employer sack me for asking?
No. You have a right to ask. But be professional. Use the union. Don’t be rude.

I am a corps member. Does this affect me?
NYSC allawee is separate. But minimum wage trends affect it. NYSC will issue its own guidance. Check official NYSC channels.

Final Practical Advice

Don’t wait. Prepare now.

Get your payslip. Get your price list. Join your union meeting. Talk to HR early.

If you are an employer in Aba, Umuahia, or Owerri, start budgeting. Review your payroll. Can you pay N70k now? Can you pay more in 2027? Don’t wait till strike.

If you are a worker, be realistic. FG, states, and private firms have limits. Inflation is high. But revenue is tight too. Ask for what is fair. And show why you deserve it.

I reviewed this myself. I, David Atulegwu, want you to use short sentences. I want you to use facts. I want you to avoid fake news.

Keep an eye on three sources. The Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment. The NLC and TUC. And credible media like BusinessDay’s labour coverage. Those will give you the real date. Not rumours.

Write your note today. Submit tomorrow. Follow up next week. That is how wage talks are won in Nigeria.