Keyamo made the remarks at the 2026 National Pre-Retirement Summit organised by XEM Consultants Limited, where he said inflation and increasing living costs had eroded workers’ purchasing power and made an upward review of wages necessary.
The minister called on the Federal Government to meet organised labour halfway in the ongoing wage discussions, noting that unions were demanding as much as ₦500,000. He recalled the negotiations that led to the increase in the minimum wage from ₦30,000 to ₦70,000 in 2024, but said the current figure was still inadequate to cushion workers against prevailing economic pressures.
Keyamo also criticised some government agencies for failing to provide basic allowances for workers while senior officials allegedly approve large sums for international trips.
“I will have none of it. Without these workers, we will not have a country,” he said.
He stressed that workers’ welfare should be prioritised, noting that human resources remain central to productivity, effective public service and national development.
“It’s not the machines or everything that you have; it’s the human factor. Without that, no machine will move,” Keyamo added.
The minister urged ministers and heads of government agencies to place workers’ interests ahead of bureaucratic considerations and give greater attention to their welfare and productivity.
Also speaking at the summit, NLC President Joe Ajaero called for government intervention to ease the impact of rising fuel, transportation and food costs on workers and other Nigerians.
Ajaero said wage negotiations should focus on workers’ real purchasing power rather than nominal salary figures.
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