The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and federal civil servants have called for an urgent upward review of the national minimum wage, insisting that the current ₦70,000 benchmark is no longer sustainable in the face of economic hardship.
Their demand comes after several states announced increases above the ₦70,000 threshold, citing inflation, rising food prices, high transport fares, and escalating housing costs as justification.
President Bola Tinubu had signed the new National Minimum Wage Act into law in July 2024, raising pay from ₦30,000 to ₦70,000. The law applies to all tiers of government and the private sector.
Since then, some states have gone further. Imo State, for instance, raised its minimum wage to ₦104,000 in August 2025, while Lagos and Rivers States approved ₦85,000. Bayelsa, Niger, Enugu, and Akwa Ibom pegged theirs at ₦80,000, Ogun and Delta at ₦77,000, Benue and Osun at ₦75,000, and Ondo at ₦73,000.
Labour’s Position
Benson Upah, Acting General Secretary of the NLC, said inflation has eroded the value of ₦70,000, 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,” he warned.
He noted that while labour would continue dialogue, industrial action could be considered if government fails to act.
Similarly, Shehu Mohammed, President of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN), praised state governors who revised wages upward, saying it should serve as a wake-up call for the federal government.
“Right from the beginning of negotiations, we demanded ₦250,000 as a living wage. Anything less only takes a worker to the office gate, not back home,” he argued.
Mohammed added that with electricity tariffs, food, and transport costs rising daily, the current wage “has lost its value.” He urged the government to complement wage increases with policies that reduce living costs, including affordable housing, healthcare, and subsidised transport.
Workers’ Voices
Some federal workers also expressed frustration.
Civil servant Kemi George said her salary barely covers transport, food, rent, and school fees. “It is only God sustaining us because our take-home pay cannot cover our monthly expenses,” she lamented.
Another worker, Obi Chimaobi, described the situation as “unbearable,” saying many families are already in debt before month-end. “The minimum wage must be reviewed urgently. It is not just about labour unions; it is about restoring dignity to work,” he stressed.
Bola Akingbade, another civil servant, added: “A well-paid workforce is a motivated workforce. Fair wages will reduce corruption and improve service delivery.”
For Jeremiah Okon, the fact that states with smaller revenue allocations have adjusted salaries makes it imperative for the federal government to do more. He suggested raising the wage to at least ₦150,000, framing it as a tool for economic revitalisation.
“Increased wages mean more spending on goods and services, which will stimulate local businesses and boost the economy,” he explained.