The Lagos State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called for a new minimum wage of ₦150,000 for workers in the state, citing rising living costs and recent wage hikes in Imo and Ebonyi States.
Lagos NLC Chairperson, Funmi Sessi, made the demand on Thursday, urging Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to take decisive action to improve the welfare of workers in Nigeria’s commercial capital.
According to Sessi, Lagos workers currently earn ₦85,000 as minimum wage — a figure she said is inadequate given the state’s high cost of accommodation, transportation, food, and utilities.
“The time has come for an upward review of the minimum wage in Lagos. At least someone has taken the bull by the horns and opened the space,” she said, referencing recent wage increases in other states.
“No one can blame Governor Sanwo-Olu now if he implements a higher wage for Lagos workers. We deserve better wages and decent working conditions that reflect the economic realities in Lagos.”
Sessi also expressed hope that more state governments would follow the examples set by Imo and Ebonyi.
Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State recently approved an increase in the minimum wage for state civil servants from ₦76,000 to ₦104,000. Similarly, the Ebonyi State Government raised its minimum wage from ₦70,000 to ₦90,000, according to the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Chief Ikeuwa Omebe.
