₦airaland Forum

The Nigeria Labour Congress and federal government workers have demanded an urgent review of the national minimum wage, insisting that the current ₦70,000 is no longer sustainable.

They made the demand, following the bold steps taken by several states across the country, to increase the minimum wage of their workers above the N70,000 benchmark, in response to the prevailing economic realities.

The labour unions and workers who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria in separate interviews contended that, in the face of galloping inflation and rising costs of food, transportation, housing, and other essential services, the N70,000 minimum wage could no longer sustain them.

It would be recalled that President Bola Tinubu signed the new National Minimum Wage Bill into law in July 2024, raising the minimum wage from N30,000 to N70,000.

The amended law applies to the entire country, including the federal government, states, local governments, and the private sector.

However, on August 27, 2025, Imo increased the minimum wage from N70,000 to N104,000, along with corresponding increases in the entire salary structure for the state’s civil servants.

The State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, had said that the salary review arrived at during a meeting with organised labour was part of efforts to improve the welfare of workers.

NAN also reports that, before the bold and applauded step by Uzodinma, some other states had implemented higher minimum wages for their workers.

On October 16, 2024, Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State announced a minimum wage increase to ₦85,000, with a promise to further raise it to ₦100,000 in 2025.

Rivers State equally approved ₦85,000 minimum wage on October 18, 2024, while Bayelsa, Niger, Enugu, and Akwa Ibom states approved ₦80,000 for their workers.

Ogun and Delta states are implementing a N77,000 minimum wage, Benue and Osun states raised the wage to N75,000, while Ondo state pegged its own to N73,000.

Acting General Secretary of the NLC, Mr Benson Upah, told NAN on Sunday in Abuja that inflation has eroded the value of the N70,000 minimum wage, leaving many workers unable to meet basic needs.

“The truth is that ₦70,0000 is not sustainable under the present economic situation. Workers are under immense pressure, and unless the government responds quickly, the crisis of survival will only worsen.

“We have since engaged the Federal Government on this matter at different times and forums. It is our hope that the government would see both the economic and moral obligations to do so expeditiously,” he said]/b].

Upah added that while labour would continue to pursue dialogue, industrial action may be considered if negotiations fail.

He also urged workers to remain united and active in union activities to strengthen the collective struggle.

Similarly, the President of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria, Mr Shehu Mohammed, commended the state governors who had revised their minimum wage.

He described the move as a welcome development and an eye-opener.

The ASCSN president said that the steps by the sub-national governments should serve as a signal to the Federal Government.

“[b]Right from the beginning, during the negotiation, our demand was for a living wage, and we submitted ₦250,000 as a reasonable benchmark.

“We told the government that anything short of that only takes a worker to the gate of the office, not back home,” he said.

He explained that with high electricity tariffs and transportation, and food prices skyrocketing, ₦70,000 has lost its value.

“]b]Let’s be realistic. Even if you pay electricity bills out of ₦70,000, what remains cannot sustain a family for 10 days,” he added[/b].

Mohammed further urged the federal government to complement wage increases with broader policies to reduce the cost of living, including affordable housing, healthcare, and subsidised transport.

A cross-section of federal government workers who spoke to NAN also expressed concerns over the harsh economic situation.

Mrs Kemi George, a civil servant, said the economic realities were becoming increasingly frustrating

“]b]By the time I pay transport to work and buy food, nothing is left. Rent and school fees are almost impossible to cover. It is only God that has been sustaining us because our take-home pay is nothing compared to what we spend in a month,” she said[/b]

Another worker, Mr Obi Chimaobi, described the situation as unbearable, saying the harsh economy has pushed many families into hardship.

He said that it was nearly impossible for the average worker to survive on the current minimum wage of ₦70,000.

“Things are no longer affordable. A bag of rice is now like gold, transport fares keep rising daily, and with ₦70,000, you are already in debt before the month even ends.

“The Federal Government must act very fast in reviewing workers’ wages. The federal government must also recognise that reviewing the minimum wage is not merely about appeasing labour unions.

“It is about restoring dignity to work and reaffirming the social contract between government and the governed,” he added.

Speaking in the same vein, another civil servant, Mrs Bola Akingbade, said, “A well-paid workforce is a motivated workforce.”

She reiterated that, when workers are financially secure, they are more productive, committed, and less susceptible to corrupt tendencies.

According to her, an increased minimum wage will not only improve the living standards of workers but also enhance efficiency and service delivery across ministries, departments, and agencies.

On his part, Mr Jeremiah Okon argues that if states with limited revenue allocations could recognise the need for upward wage adjustments, it would become imperative for the federal government to do better.

Okon said it will be fair and equitable for the federal government and the other states to adjust the minimum wage from N70,000 to at least N150,000.

He urged the government at all levels not to see an increased minimum wage as a burden but as a tool for economic revitalisation.

According to him, increased wages will percolate through increased spending on goods and services, thereby stimulating local businesses and boosting the economy.

(NAN)

Lewisland:
If government re-increase your wage again they willl also take it back again by another means from petrol product increase then everything starting from food stuff will increase again...

Ofunaofu:
How much will truly be sustainable under this wicked and draconian regime of a díctatór parading as a democrat?

When fuel jumps from under N200 to over N1,000 per liter, everything else collapses with it, transportation becomes a luxury, food becomes a gamble, jobs disappear, and even hope begins to feel like a myth.

Let’s not deceive ourselves, even a N1 million minimum wage will be meaningless in an economy where a bag of rice costs almost a N100,000 and above. What use is high pay when the value of the naira is in freefall, and inflation eats your salary before you even touch it?

This is not governance.This is state-sponsored suffering wrapped in propaganda and defended by the blind loyalty of Agbadoos, sycophants. Nigeria has never seen such a dangerous mix of arrogance, incompetence, and tribal-fueled leadership. And history will not forget.

bcomputer101:
104,000 is not even sustainable under this demonic government.
Any negotiation below 400,000 is a joke

helinues:
Before any increase in the minimum wage, the ghost workers must be first fished out

Jaymats:
Can't stop laughing...

So what I said then later happened. I said increasing the wages at this moment will skyrocket inflation and market people will step in and hike prices of commodity without thinking twice. I said why not put the pressure on the govt to reverse some of its economy policies with non negotiable stand at last it will yield and both party will move on well but hatred and election losers hijacked NLC and turned it to political weapon to the detriment of the populace now here we go.

Una go hear word by force...

Jaymats:
Can't stop laughing...

So what I said then later happened. I said increasing the wages at this moment will skyrocket inflation and market people will step in and hike prices of commodity without thinking twice. I said why not put the pressure on the govt to reverse some of its economy policies with non negotiable stand at last it will yield and both party will move on well but hatred and election losers hijacked NLC and turned it to political weapon to the detriment of the populace now here we go.

Una go hear word by force...

triplechoice:
Don't deceive yourself. What you said hasn't happened. The reverse is what has happened.

The reason workers are calling for an upward review is because the last one wasn't enough. They only accepted it since the president promised to review it after 3 years.

Prices of basic foodstuffs and other essential commodities have remained stable, in fact, some have experienced reduction in prices, like garri, rice beans and even eggs.

You were amongst those who predicted a load of bread will increase to 5k once minimum wage is increased . Is it 5k now?