The Federal Government has signalled a fresh review of the N70,000 national minimum wage amid growing pressure from workers, even as the Nigerian Army intensifies efforts to tackle the rising wave of mass kidnappings across the country.
Chief of Staff to the President, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, said on Thursday in Abuja that the current minimum wage, approved in 2024, may no longer reflect prevailing economic realities.
Speaking at an event organised by Working People United, Gbajabiamila acknowledged that the N70,000 wage, widely celebrated at the time of its introduction, had been overtaken by current economic conditions.
He assured Nigerian workers that the administration of President Bola Tinubu would engage organised labour constructively whenever discussions on a new wage review commence.
Gbajabiamila said the Federal Government regarded labour unions as critical partners in national development and remained committed to ensuring fair compensation for workers.
“The President has consistently demonstrated commitment to workers’ welfare and can be trusted to fulfil promises made regarding labour issues,” he said.
The development comes as the Federal Workers Forum (FWF) announced plans to stage a nationwide protest on Monday over poor welfare and delayed implementation of workers’ entitlements.
In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Mr Andrew Emelieze, the forum said workers would embark on peaceful demonstrations across federal secretariats nationwide to demand an urgent wage review and improved welfare packages.
The forum lamented that many federal workers were yet to fully benefit from the implementation of the N70,000 minimum wage and called for payment of outstanding wage awards, promotion arrears and the 40 per cent peculiar allowance.
According to Emelieze, the current minimum wage is no longer sufficient to meet workers’ needs due to the rising cost of living.
“To continue to pay N70,000 minimum wage under the current economic realities is unacceptable. The wage must be reviewed immediately,” he said.
He also called for the introduction of a Cost of Living Allowance (COLA), restoration of wage awards, free education for children of federal workers in federal institutions and establishment of a functional car loan scheme.
The workers’ body further urged the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) to declare a two-day national strike over insecurity and economic hardship.
Meanwhile, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked military strategists to develop innovative solutions to address the growing challenge of mass abductions across Nigeria.
Speaking during the inauguration of the Army War College Nigeria’s newly established Wargaming Centre in Abuja, Shaibu described mass kidnappings as one of the country’s most pressing security challenges.
He urged the institution to focus research efforts on finding practical solutions to large-scale abductions, particularly in forested areas and vulnerable rural communities.
“One of the critical tasks I would like to leave with the college is how this wargaming can help address multiple mass abductions across our expansive forested areas. This is an evolving security challenge in Nigeria,” he said.
The army chief noted that recurring kidnappings had heightened fear among citizens and discouraged many parents from sending their children to school.
Shaibu also called for studies on the potential impact of state police on Nigeria’s security architecture and measures to strengthen collaboration among security agencies for faster responses to kidnapping incidents.
He expressed confidence that the Army War College would produce recommendations capable of improving national security and enhancing strategic military planning.
The convergence of growing workers’ agitation over wages and persistent insecurity highlights two of the major challenges confronting the Tinubu administration as it seeks to stabilise the economy and improve national security.
