The spokesperson for the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Benson Upah, has described the proposed ₦100,000 national minimum wage reportedly being considered by state governors as inadequate, arguing that Nigerian workers should earn as much as ₦1 million monthly in view of prevailing economic realities.
Upah stated this in an interview with journalists on Sunday while reacting to remarks by the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, who revealed that state governors were considering a new national minimum wage of ₦100,000.
In a Facebook post on Saturday, AbdulRazaq said the proposal was driven by rising inflation, increasing living costs, and the growing financial pressure on Nigerian workers.
According to the governor, state governments are already engaging with the Federal Government and organised labour to develop a wage structure that balances workers’ welfare with fiscal sustainability.
Responding to the proposal, Upah commended the governors for considering a wage review but maintained that ₦100,000 was far below what workers need to cope with the current economic environment.
“We consider it thoughtful of the Kwara State governor to propose this, but certainly, ₦100,000 falls far below the realistic figure,” he said.
The labour leader cited the depreciation of the naira, persistent inflation, increases in electricity tariffs, rising petrol prices, declining purchasing power, and the impact of recent tax measures as reasons a significantly higher minimum wage is necessary.
“Given the realities around the exchange rate, inflation, increased tariffs, the surge in the pump price of petrol and associated costs, the decline in the purchasing power of the average worker, and the effects of the new tax regime on our cost of living, the realistic figure, subject to current conditions remaining unchanged, would be ₦1 million,” he stated.
Upah also argued that improved government revenues should make enhanced worker compensation achievable.
“In light of the earnings by governments, this should not be a major issue. Look at what is being shared at FAAC. The windfall from the Middle East conflict has injected over ₦5 trillion into government coffers. While this may be temporary, it has nonetheless boosted government revenues significantly,” he said.
He further stressed that workers remain the most valuable asset of any nation and should be adequately remunerated to drive productivity and economic growth.
“The greatest asset of any nation is its workforce,” he added.
The debate over workers’ wages has intensified amid worsening economic conditions following the removal of fuel subsidies and the floating of the naira by the Federal Government.
In July 2024, the Federal Government approved a new national minimum wage of ₦70,000 after prolonged negotiations with organised labour. However, labour unions have continued to argue that inflation and rising living costs have significantly eroded the value of the wage.
Recent increases in electricity tariffs, transportation costs, and food prices have further strengthened calls for another wage review, with labour leaders insisting that workers’ salaries should reflect prevailing economic realities.
The Nigeria Governors’ Forum is yet to formally submit any proposal on a new minimum wage framework to either the Federal Government or organised labour.
