Labour Demands Urgent Minimum Wage Review As States Surpass N70,000 Benchmark To Cushion Harsh Economic Realities

 

The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has declared that the N70,000 minimum wage signed into law barely a year ago can no longer sustain the Nigerian worker. The umbrella labour body is urging the Federal Government to swiftly revisit the wage structure as workers across the country continue to battle skyrocketing costs of living.

Workers and union leaders who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, maintained that the new reality of rising food prices, transportation fares, housing costs and utility bills has rendered the current wage inadequate. They stressed that despite the July 2024 wage increase from N30,000 to N70,000, inflation has since eroded its purchasing power, leaving families in distress.

President Bola Tinubu’s administration had celebrated the wage hike at the time as a milestone for worker welfare. The amended law made the N70,000 benchmark applicable nationwide, covering federal, state, local government and private sector employees. However, less than a year after its implementation, states have begun to adjust their salary scales upward, acknowledging that the official figure is no longer reflective of economic realities.

Imo State recently set a new record after Governor Hope Uzodinma raised the minimum wage for civil servants to N104,000 on August 27, 2025. The governor explained that the decision followed discussions with organised labour and was aimed at cushioning the economic hardship facing the workforce. The adjustment also came with a comprehensive upward review of the state salary structure.

Other states had already blazed the trail in offering higher pay. Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, in October 2024, announced a raise to N85,000 with a promise to push it further to N100,000 by 2025. Rivers State followed closely, setting its own minimum wage at N85,000 two days after Lagos’ announcement. Several others such as Bayelsa, Niger, Enugu and Akwa Ibom pegged their figure at N80,000, while Ogun and Delta approved N77,000. Benue and Osun chose N75,000, and Ondo settled at N73,000.

The actions of these states, analysts say, have deepened the pressure on the federal government to reconsider the current national rate. By surpassing the benchmark, they not only set new standards but also highlight the inadequacy of the existing wage amid the cost-of-living crisis.

Acting General Secretary of the NLC, Benson Upah, stated bluntly that N70,000 has lost relevance in the present economic climate. He lamented that workers are bearing unbearable pressure as their income shrinks against galloping inflation. According to him, survival has become a daily struggle for many households and a timely intervention is the only way to avert further hardship.

“The truth is that N70,000 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,” he said.

Observers note that the current debate over wages is not only about numbers but about dignity and survival. Prices of staple foods like rice, garri, beans and yam have more than doubled within months, transportation fares remain unpredictable, while landlords and service providers adjust their fees to reflect inflationary pressure. For a worker earning N70,000 monthly, these costs quickly swallow a paycheck before the end of each month.

Trade union leaders are warning that failure to act promptly could trigger industrial unrest across key sectors. They argue that the wage debate is no longer a question of preference but of necessity, as the economy continues to squeeze citizens with little relief.

Economists have also weighed in, saying that while states increasing wages is commendable, the ripple effect on inflation and government expenditure must be carefully managed. However, they agree that workers cannot be left behind in an economy where basic survival is increasingly costly.

What is clear is that the current agitation will not fade anytime soon. As states raise their minimum wage figures above the national mark, more workers in both the public and private sectors are bound to demand parity. For now, the ball rests firmly in the court of the Federal Government, which must decide whether to intervene quickly or risk widespread discontent among its workforce.

The NLC has made its stance clear, the N70,000 wage is no longer sustainable, and the government must act decisively. With rising inflation eating deeper into household incomes and states raising the bar for their workers, the urgency for a nationwide wage review is no longer in doubt.