Workers in the federal government and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) have called for an immediate reassessment of the country’s minimum wage, arguing that the present N70,000 is unsustainable.
In reaction to the current economic realities, they demanded that the minimum wage for their employees be raised above the N70,000 threshold, following the audacious actions taken by numerous states throughout the nation.
In separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the labour unions and workers argued that the N70,000 minimum wage was no longer sufficient to support them in the face of soaring inflation, rising food, transportation, housing, and other necessary service expenses.
In July 2024, the new National Minimum salary Bill was signed into law by President Bola Tinubu, increasing the minimum salary from N30,000 to N70,000.
However, Imo raised the minimum pay from N70,000 to N104,000 on Aug. 27, 2025, and the entire remuneration structure for state civil personnel increased in tandem.
According to Governor Hope Uzodinma, organised labour met to decide on the pay revision. “The meeting was part of efforts to improve worker welfare,” he continued.
Previous reports however revealed that some other states had raised the minimum wage for workers prior to Uzodinma’s audacious and well-received action.
Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu declared on October 16, 2024, that the minimum salary would be raised to ₦85,000, with a further increase to N100,000 in 2025.
On October 18, 2024, Rivers State also adopted a minimum pay of ₦85,000. Bayelsa, Niger, Enugu, and Akwa Ibom states also approved a minimum wage of N80,000 for their employees.
Benue and Osun states increased the minimum pay to N75,000, Ondo state set its own at N73,000, and Ogun and Delta states are enforcing a N77,000 minimum wage.
Following this, the acting General Secretary of the Nigerian Labour Congress, Mr Benson Upah told newsmen on Sunday in Abuja that inflation has eroded the value of the N70,000 minimum wage, leaving many workers unable to meet basic needs.
“The truth is that, ₦70,000 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 fora. It is our hope that the government would see both the economic and moral obligations to do so expeditiously,” he said.
Upah added that while labour would continue to pursue dialogue, industrial action may be considered if negotiations fail.
The Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) President, Mr. Shehu Mohammed, also applauded the state governors for raising the minimum salary.
He called the move an eye-opener and a positive development.
He explained that with high electricity tariffs, transportation, and food prices skyrocketing, ₦70,000 has lost its value.
“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.
“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.
Mohammed also encouraged the federal government to lower the cost of living through more comprehensive measures like cheap housing, healthcare, and subsidised transportation in addition to pay increases.
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