Organised labour and workers’ unions have declared that the current ₦70,000 minimum wage is no longer sustainable, citing rising inflation and the soaring cost of living. They urged the Federal Government to take immediate action and commence a wage review.
Speaking on behalf of workers, union leaders noted that the economic situation has pushed many Nigerians into poverty, making survival increasingly difficult.
“The ₦70,000 minimum wage cannot sustain an average worker any longer. Prices of food, transport, electricity, and basic necessities have gone beyond what salaries can cover,” one labour representative said.
They stressed that the wage adjustment must reflect current realities if the government is serious about protecting families and restoring productivity. “A new minimum wage is not a luxury but a necessity. Without it, workers will continue to sink deeper into hardship,” the unions added.
The workers also warned that failure to act swiftly could trigger industrial action.
“We cannot continue to work under unbearable conditions while our salaries lose value daily. The government must respond now or face nationwide protests,” they cautioned.
Labour leaders further appealed to President Bola Tinubu’s administration to make workers’ welfare central to its reform agenda, insisting that fair pay is critical to economic stability and social harmony.
