Governors Propose ₦100,000 Minimum Wage as Labour Pushes for Fresh Salary Review
NGF backs wage increase proposal, endorses Tinubu’s reforms while NLC demands living wages amid rising inflation.
Writing
By Our Correspondent
The Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) has proposed a new national minimum wage of ₦100,000, signaling a fresh push to improve workers' welfare in the face of rising living costs and persistent economic challenges across the country.
Chairman of the NGF and Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, disclosed the position on Friday, stating that governors across the federation had endorsed the proposed wage increase as part of efforts to cushion the impact of inflation on Nigerian workers.
According to him, state governments are engaging with the Federal Government and organized labour to reach a sustainable agreement that balances workers’ welfare with the financial realities of the states.
AbdulRazaq noted that the proposed wage adjustment is expected to play a significant role in ongoing discussions on inflation, workers’ earnings, and broader economic reforms aimed at improving the standard of living of Nigerians.
The governors also reiterated their support for the economic reform agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, expressing confidence that the policies would yield long-term benefits for the nation’s economy.
Nigeria’s current national minimum wage stands at ₦70,000 per month following its approval by President Tinubu under the National Minimum Wage Act.
However, several states, including Lagos, Rivers, and Imo, have already adopted wage structures above the national benchmark.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has intensified calls for an urgent review of workers’ salaries, citing worsening inflation and economic hardship.
In his New Year message to workers, NLC President Joe Ajaero emphasized the need for wages that guarantee a decent standard of living rather than mere survival.
Ajaero described 2025 as one of the most challenging periods for Nigerian workers, marked by economic pressures and declining purchasing power, and pledged that organized labour would continue to pursue improved remuneration through legitimate means.
The renewed debate over workers’ wages is expected to dominate national economic discussions in the coming months as government, labour unions, and other stakeholders seek a consensus on a sustainable wage framework.
