Organised Labour sets July 2026 for New Minimum Wage Battle

Organised Labour says the process for renegotiating the National Minimum Wage will commence in July 2026.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress(TUC) said this at the 2026 May Day celebration on Friday in Abuja with the theme,” Insecurity, Proverty- Bane of Decent Work.”

Joe Ajaero, President of the NLC said that the move was aimed at preventing delays experienced during previous wage negotiations.

Ajaero urged workers to unite in demanding a living wage that reflected prevailing economic realities across the country.

“Unity remains essential as negotiations approach, as fragmentation would weaken workers’ bargaining power.

“As wage talks near, labour warns that division will undermine workers’ collective strength.

“Labour insists unity is critical ahead of negotiations, stressing that a divided movement cannot win fair outcomes,” he said.

The NLC president demanded that workers received 100 per cent of their basic salaries from July 2026 pending conclusion of negotiations.

He added that the demand was to cushion the effects of the current economic hardship facing Nigerian workers.

He also reaffirmed its commitment to defending workers’ rights and advancing their welfare nationwide.

Ajaero said that Nigerian workers must remain united in confronting challenges affecting their livelihoods and dignity.

He added that unity remained essential as negotiations approach, noting that fragmentation would weaken workers’ bargaining power at a critical moment.

Festus Osifo, President of the TUC, said there was need for strengthened social dialogue platforms, including revitalisation of the National Labour Consultative Council.

According to him, labour administration reforms are also necessary to ensure fairer and more effective industrial relations in Nigeria.

Osifo warned against continued violations of labour laws by some employers and urged strict enforcement of existing regulations.

He expressed concern over refusal by some state governments to fully implement the 2024 National Minimum Wage Act.

He said that such actions undermined workers’ welfare in spite of improved government revenues in several states.

The TUC president called for accountability and compliance from both public and private sector employers.

Osifo however, condemned interference in union affairs, including attempts to impose parallel leadership structures.

He described such actions as threats to the autonomy and stability of trade unions in the country.O

He reaffirmed its readiness to intensify engagement with employers to protect workers’ rights across all sectors.

Credit NAN: Texts excluding Headline

Tinubu’s Airline Relief: A Bundle of Economic Contradiction

Seplat Energy grows 2026 Q1 Revenue to $840.7m, Gross Profit hits $370.5m

Seplat Energy PLC, foremost Nigerian independent energy company listed on both the Nigerian Exchange and the London Stock Exchange, has announced its unaudited results for the for the three months ended 31 March 2026, declaring US 9.0 Cents total dividend per share for the period, which is 96 per cent higher than 1Q 2025 payout.

The foremost energy company grew its profit after tax (PAT) to $37.9m from $23.3m Year-on-Year with cash generated hitting $243.4m.

Group production for the period averaged 129,841 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boepd) up 9 per cent since 4Q 2025 (119,200 boepd). Crude and condensate liftings benefitted from the company’s put-option hedge strategy that exposed it to a 100 per cent of price upside, resulting in strong free cash. Gross profit for the period stood at $370.5m.

The Group delivered more than 9.1 million man-hours without Lost Time Injury - 3.0 million hours onshore-operated assets and 6.1 million hours offshore.

 Operational Highlights

• Production during the first 26 days of April has averaged approximately 153 kboepd, bringing group average daily working interest production for the year to 26 April to approximately 135 kboepd, within FY 2026 guidance.
• Onshore production contribution of 50,700 boepd, down 10% YoY (1Q 2025: 56,267 boepd).
• YoY decline principally due to 38 days unplanned downtime on third-party operated Trans Forcados Pipeline, impacting Western Assets. Pipeline operations resumed on 24 March and Western Assets production has normalised.
• First gas at ANOH in January 2026, contributed working interest volumes of 17.0 mmscfd, planned increase 2Q 2026 onwards.
• Offshore production contribution of 79,141 boepd, up 5% vs. 1Q 2025: 75,478 boepd.
• Idle well restoration programme continued its strong performance, adding 10 kbopd gross JV production capacity from 8 wells.
• NGLs delivered strong growth, WI production of 9,802 bopd (1Q 2025: 3,376 bopd), as EAP continued to perform at high levels.
• Yoho restart on track for 2Q 2026, Oso-BRT 1 gas expansion project on track for 3Q 2026 start up.
• Carbon emissions intensity for Seplat group assets: 41.6 kg CO2/boe improved by 13% YoY (1Q 2025: 47.9 kg CO2/boe), within this onshore operated emissions intensity reduced 24% on 1Q 2025, reflecting the positive impact of our End of Routine flaring programme.

Financial Highlights

• Gross revenue $840.7 million up 4% on prior year (1Q 2025: $809.3 million). Realised oil price of $86.16/bbl.
• Onshore operated assets now reporting under PIA, group blended unit royalty rate 14.7% of revenue (1Q 2025 16.2%).
• Unit production operating cost of $17.1/boe (1Q 2025: $12.6/boe), above our $13.5-14.5/boe guidance due to acceleration of planned maintenance activities at Yoho and lower volumes in the quarter, also impacting EBITDA, expected to normalise in subsequent quarters.
• Adjusted EBITDA of $371.3 million (44% margin), down 7% vs prior year (1Q 2025: $400.6 million).
• Cash generated from operations of $337.9 million up 10% from $306.5 million in 1Q 2025.
• Cash capital expenditure of $42.6 million up 6% YoY (1Q 2025: $ 40.2 million). Capex run rate expected to increase 2Q 2026 onwards.
• Balance sheet remains robust, end-March cash at bank $461.7 million (YE 2025: $332.3 million).
• Net Debt at end-March of $531.6 million down 21% on prior quarter (YE 2025: $673 million). ND/EBITDA improves to 0.43x (YE: 0.53x).
• Completed refinancing of our undrawn revolving credit facility (‘RCF’) and upsized to $400 million, cost of borrowing reduced to SOFR plus 4.5% (down from SOFR plus 5% plus CAS), an overall saving of 76 bps.

Dividend

• 1Q 2026 declared dividend of USD 9.0 cents per share, consisting of USD 5.0 c/share base and USD 4.0 c/share special dividend, for a total cost of approximately $54 million. The declared dividend is up 8% QoQ and up 96% YoY.

2026 Outlook

• 2026 guidance reiterated
• Production guidance of 135-155 kboepd (Crude & Condensate: flat, NGL: +85% YoY & Gas: +30% YoY)
• Capex guidance remains $360-440 million, unit operating cost guidance reiterated at $13.5-$14.5/boe

Commenting on the results, Roger Brown, Chief Executive Officer, said: “The conflict in the Middle East has dramatically changed the outlook for the oil and gas industry in 2026, and quite possibly beyond. Nigeria’s favourable geographic positioning, combined with our oil rich portfolio, which isfully exposed to higher oil prices, and our strong balance sheet, means we are well placed to deliver strong cashflows in 2026. As a result, we have increased our 1Q 2026 dividend to 9.0 cents per share (core: 5.0 cents and special: 4.0 cents).

Production in 1Q 2026, improved QoQ but modestly missed our internal expectations, largely due to unplanned downtime on third-party infrastructure onshore. That said, April to date production has averaged c.153 kboepd, illustrating the potential of our asset base. Notably, this is before the return of Yoho, scheduled to come back onstream before end 2Q 2026, and full ramp-up of ANOH, as such we remain comfortable with our 2026 guidance.

While the firmer oil price outlook should enhance cash flows its duration is uncertain, as such, we expect to retain our current growth-focused 2026 work programme, which will deliver enhanced asset reliability and overall portfolio growth on route to our 2030 targets. Overall, we have delivered a solid start to 2026, with expectations that 2Q 2026 will see a step forward in performance”. 

Credit Seplat Energy PR