N70,000 Minimum Wage No Longer Viable, Labour Unions Demand Urgent Review

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and federal government workers are calling for an immediate review of the national minimum wage, arguing that the current ₦70,000 is insufficient to meet the rising cost of living.

Their demand comes amid widespread economic hardship and following wage increases by several state governments, which have raised their minimum wage well above the national benchmark to cushion the impact of inflation and high living costs.

President Bola Tinubu signed the National Minimum Wage Act into law in July 2024, raising the wage floor from ₦30,000 to ₦70,000. The law applies across all levels of government as well as the private sector. However, the escalating prices of food, transport, housing, and electricity have quickly eroded its value, according to labour leaders.

Speaking in Abuja, Mr. Benson Upah, Acting General Secretary of the NLC, said the current wage can no longer sustain Nigerian workers under present economic conditions.

“₦70,000 is no longer realistic. Inflation has wiped out its purchasing power, leaving many workers struggling to survive,” he said.
“We’ve engaged the federal government repeatedly and hope it recognizes the economic and moral obligation to act swiftly.”

Upah warned that while labour remains committed to dialogue, industrial action could be considered if discussions fail to produce results. He also encouraged workers to stay united and active in union activities to strengthen collective bargaining power.

Similarly, Mr. Shehu Mohammed, President of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN), praised state governors who have already adjusted their wage structures upward, describing their actions as a “wake-up call” to the federal government.

He revealed that during earlier negotiations, labour had proposed a ₦250,000 minimum wage as a realistic figure for a living wage.

“We told the government that anything less than that might take a worker to the office gate—but not back home,” he said.
“With soaring electricity bills, transportation fares, and food prices, ₦70,000 doesn’t stretch far enough to support any household.”

Mohammed also called on the government to back wage increases with wider reforms to lower the cost of living, such as affordable housing, healthcare, and subsidised transport.

Several state governments have already responded to the economic realities by increasing wages above the federal minimum.

• Imo State recently raised its minimum wage to ₦104,000 and adjusted the entire salary structure for civil servants, following negotiations with organised labour.
• Lagos State increased its wage to ₦85,000 in October 2024, with a pledge to raise it further to ₦100,000 by 2025.
• Rivers State approved ₦85,000, while Bayelsa, Niger, Enugu, and Akwa Ibom have set their wages at ₦80,000.
• Ogun and Delta are paying ₦77,000, with Benue and Osun offering ₦75,000. Ondo State now pays ₦73,000.

Workers have echoed the unions’ demands, expressing frustration over the growing economic pressure.

Mrs. Kemi George, a federal civil servant, described the current situation as dire:

“After paying transport to work and buying food, there’s nothing left. School fees, rent—everything is beyond reach. Only God is keeping us going.”

As inflation continues to rise, labour leaders and workers alike are urging the federal government to act fast before the crisis deepens.