Issues in National Minimum Wage Fixing and the Instability in Nigeria’s Industrial Relations

Issues in National Minimum Wage fixing which predate Nigeria political independence has caused very serious controversy and debate in the country thereby challenging the nature and structure of Nigeria industrial relations system. By adopting a theoretical approach of analysis, the study concludes that, government must develop an acceptable and good wage review policy at the expiration of existing agreement, especially when there is a rising price of commodities in the market without correspondent increase in the wages of workers. In view of the above, the study made some policy recommendations prominent among them are that, individual states should be allowed to pay their workers minimum wage based on their financial strength and the subsisting cost of living or living wage; the government should ensure they monitor organizations with culture of unfair labour practice and low wages; there is also the need for government to reduce the cost of governance and improve the living standard of workers by fixing a better wage. Finally, diversifying the Nigeria economy is necessary for states to enhance their internally generated revenue and step into creation of employment opportunities and better pay package