Review minimum wage now, as NLC says N70,000 no longer sustainable
Amid ongoing Nigeria’s economic downturn and hardship, the country’s labour union is demanding a review of the current minimum wage.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Federal Government workers are back in the news as they are demanding an instant review of the national minimum wage, claiming that the present ₦70,000 can no longer be sustainable.
This demand was made following a courage move made by many states across the federation, to review the minimum wage of their workers, amidst the country’s economic woe.
The Union representatives, who spoke in a separate interviews, said that in the wake of heightening inflation and exorbitant costs of foods, services, transportation, housing and other social services, the ₦70,000 minimum wage would no longer sustain them.
It can be remembered that President Bola Tinubu signed the current and improved minimum wage into law in July, 2024─increasing it from ₦30,000 to ₦70,000.
Review Minimum Wage Now
The then-reviewed law applied to the entire thirty-six states of the country, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, it was signed into law to regulate what federal government, states, local governments, and the private sectors would start paying their workers.
Howbeit, on 27th August, 2025, Imo State increased its minimum wage from ₦70,000 to ₦104,000, coupled with the corresponding increase in the entire salary structure for the state’s civil servants.
According to the state governor, Hope Uzodinma, who said that the salary increment came after a meeting with organised labour, which contributed to the efforts by the state to improve the welfare of its workers.
As reported by NAN, before the courageous and commended move by the governor, some other states within the country had also implemented higher minimum wage for their workers.
On 16th October, 2024, Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu declared a minimum wage increase to ₦85,000, making a promise for further increase 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.
In Abuja on Sunday, acting General Secretary of NLC, Mr. Benson Upah, said that inflation has diminished the value of the ₦70,000 minimum wage, rending workers powerless to meet fundamental 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.
Upah also stressed that as labour would be open to dialogue, industrial action may be resorted to should negotiation fail.
Review Minimum Wage Now
He also implored all workers to stay united and active in union activities to solidify collective struggle.
Also, the president of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN), Mr. Shehu Muhammed, praised the state governors who had revised their minimum wage.
The move which he described at a welcome-development and an eye-opener. The ASCSN boss noted that the move by the state governments should serve as a wake-up call to the federal government.
“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 stated that with high cost of electricity and transportation, and the food prices seeming to go up every day, ₦70,000 has diminished its value.
“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.
Mr. Mohammed went further by imploring the federal government to consider minimum wage increase with wide policies to bring down cost of living, including affordable housing, healthcare and subsidised transport.
A group of federal government workers expressed their fear and concerns over the stiff economic situation
In the statement of Mr. Kemi George, a civil servant, stated that the economic realities were becoming increasingly frustrating for her and her colleagues.
“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.
Review Minimum Wage Now
Another worker who expressed his concern was Mr. Obi Chimaobi, who called the situation ‘unbearable’, saying that the effect of the harsh economy is harsh for many families.
He noted that it was scarcely possible for the average worker to survive on the present 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 repeated that, when workers are financially okay, they become more productive, passionate, committed, and think less of corruption.
Review Minimum Wage Now
In her statement, she said an increase on minimum wage will not only better the living standard of workers but also enhance productivity, effectiveness and service delivery across ministries, departments and agencies.
On the other hand, Mr. Jeremiah Okon claims that if states with limited revenue allocations could consider the need for increased minimum wage, it becomes imperative for the federal government to do even better.
Mr. Okon argued that it would be fair enough and equitable for the federal government and the other states to review the minimum wage and increase for current ₦70,000 to, at least, ₦150,000.
He then urged government at every level not to view increased minimum wage as a burden on them, but as prerequisite for economic buoyance.
Concluding, he said increased minimum wage will stimulate local business and revitalise the nation’s economy.
