Governors Reviewing New Minimum Wage-NGF.The Chairman of the Governors Forum said the review is necessary considering the rising cost of living and the need to improve workers welfare.
KaNo —
The Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, said state governors are considering a new national minimum wage of N100,000 amid rising economic hardship in the country.
AbdulRazaq disclosed this in a Facebook post on Saturday, noting that the plan was driven by inflation, the rising cost of living, and mounting financial pressure on Nigerian workers.
According to him, state governments are engaging the Federal Government and organised labour to agree on a wage structure that balances workers’ welfare with fiscal sustainability.
“State governments recognise the urgent need to improve workers’ welfare in response to the current economic realities facing Nigerians,” AbdulRazaq said.
The NGF chairman added that consultations were ongoing to ensure that any new wage regime would not place excessive financial strain on states.
“We are actively engaging with the Federal Government and organised labour to arrive at a wage structure that is fair to workers and sustainable for government finances,” he stated.
He explained that the discussions focused on striking a balance between enhancing workers’ purchasing power and preserving governments’ ability to deliver critical public services and infrastructure projects.
“The goal is to improve the living conditions of workers while ensuring that states can continue to meet their obligations and sustain development projects that directly impact citizens,” he said.
He noted that while workers deserved better remuneration, policymakers must also consider the fiscal realities confronting subnational governments.
The proposed N100,000 minimum wage is expected to intensify national conversations around salaries, inflation, and broader economic reforms as Nigerians continue to grapple with rising food prices, transportation costs, and other living expenses.
Many workers have repeatedly expressed concerns that their current earnings are no longer sufficient to meet basic household needs amid the country’s challenging economic environment.
Nigeria’s statutory minimum wage currently stands at N70,000 per month.
However, several states, including Lagos, Rivers and Imo, are reported to be paying above the national benchmark as part of efforts to support workers.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Labour Congress has continued to push for a comprehensive review of workers salaries, insisting that employees deserve a living wage capable of meeting present-day economic demands rather than one that merely guarantees survival.
NLC President Calls For Review Of Minimum Wage
The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Joe Ajaero, has called for a new deal for Nigerian workers to address growing economic hardship and poor labour conditions.
Speaking during his May Day address in Abuja, he said workers remain the backbone of national development but continue to face rising poverty and weak enforcement of labour rights.
Ajaero also accused some state governments of failing to fully implement the national minimum wage, warning that poor policy execution is worsening workers’ welfare.
He praised Nigerian workers for their contributions, describing them as central to the country’s progress.
Ajaero announced that fresh wage negotiations with the federal government will begin soon, calling for a living wage that reflects current economic realities.
He urged workers to remain united, noting that solidarity remains key to achieving better wages and improved conditions.
Current Economic Hardship Could Lead To Social Unrest -Senator Adams Oshiomhole
The former national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole has warned that the current economic hardship in Nigeria could lead to social unrest.
Oshiomhole gave this warning while speaking at a recent Distinguished Personality Lecture hosted by the National Institute for Security Studies (NISS) in Abuja.
Speaking on the topic, “National Minimum Wage: Reward System and Productivity in Africa,” he also expressed concerns over wage exploitation in Nigeria, lamenting the impact it could have on national security and economic stability.
According to the former governor of Edo State, inadequate wages trigger workers’ dissatisfaction, decreased motivation, and susceptibility to manipulation and radicalization.
Oshiomhole also argued that fair wages are essential for boosting productivity and sustaining economic growth, pointing out how inflation has eroded the purchasing power of workers, leaving many of them financially worse off than previous generations, despite nominal increases in the minimum wage.
“Significant disparities exist between minimum and maximum wages across sectors, leading to dissatisfaction among workers. The wealthy often benefit from state protection, while the poor struggle,” he said.
“The minimum wage is designed to protect vulnerable workers but is often not enforced. Setting minimum wages too high can risk job losses while setting them too low can lead to exploitation” he added
Inflation severely impacts purchasing power, making it difficult for workers to maintain a decent standard of living. Historical comparisons show that many workers are poorer now than in the past, despite nominal wage increases.
His administration also made a controversial decision by overhauling the foreign exchange system in a bid to strengthen the naira.
However, these economic reforms, instead of improving Nigeria, have only brought about untold hardship for the citizens, especially the low income earners.
The removal of the fuel subsidy, which led to an increase in transportation costs, has had a negative effect on the prices of foodstuffs.
But the President has defended the decision saying Nigerians were making sacrifices aimed at developing and strengthening the economy which according to him is yielding positive results.
