The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and federal civil servants have called for an urgent review of the national minimum wage, insisting that the current ₦70,000 is no longer sustainable under prevailing economic conditions.
The demand follows recent wage reviews by some state governments who have raised their minimum wage above the ₦70,000 benchmark in response to rising inflation and cost of living.
President Bola Tinubu had in July 2024 signed into law the new National Minimum Wage Bill, which raised the wage from ₦30,000 to ₦70,000, applicable to the federal, state, and local governments as well as the private sector.
However, some states have gone beyond the national rate. On Aug. 27, 2025, Imo State announced a wage increase to ₦104,000, while Lagos, Rivers, Bayelsa, Niger, Enugu, Akwa Ibom, Ogun, Delta, Benue, Osun and Ondo have all reviewed their wages upwards.
Mr Benson Upah, Acting General Secretary of the NLC, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Sunday that inflation had 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 said.
Upah noted that while labour was committed to dialogue, industrial action might be considered if negotiations with the Federal Government failed.
Similarly, Mr Shehu Mohammed, President of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN), commended states that had reviewed their minimum wage, saying the action should serve as a signal to the Federal Government.
“During negotiations, we proposed ₦250,000 as a living wage. Anything less takes a worker only to the gate of the office, not back home,” he said.
Mohammed stressed that the rising cost of food, transportation, electricity and housing had made ₦70,000 inadequate for survival. He also urged the Federal Government to complement any wage increase with broader policies on affordable housing, healthcare and subsidised transport.
A cross section of federal civil servants interviewed by NAN echoed the concerns.
Mrs Kemi George, a civil servant, said: “By the time I pay transport to work and buy food, nothing is left. Rent and school fees are almost impossible to cover.”
Another worker, Mr Obi Chimaobi, said ₦70,000 was no longer realistic. “With rising prices, you are already in debt before the month ends. The Federal Government must act very fast in reviewing workers’ wages,” he said.
Also, Mrs Bola Akingbade noted that “a well-paid workforce is a motivated workforce,” adding that better pay would enhance productivity and reduce corruption in public service.
