Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), labour leaders and workers stressed that soaring inflation, skyrocketing food prices, rising transport fares, rent, and other essential services have eroded the value of the wage introduced barely a year ago.
It would be recalled that President Bola Tinubu signed the new National Minimum Wage Bill into law in July 2024, raising pay from N30,000 to N70,000. The law covers federal, state, and local governments as well as private sector workers.
However, several states have already surpassed the federal benchmark. On August 27, 2025, Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma announced a new minimum wage of N104,000 for workers, describing the decision as a product of dialogue with organised labour to cushion the economic hardship.
Earlier, Lagos State had increased salaries to N85,000 in October 2024, with a further raise to N100,000 expected in 2025. Rivers State also raised its minimum wage to N85,000, while Bayelsa, Niger, Enugu, and Akwa Ibom pegged theirs at N80,000. Ogun and Delta moved to N77,000, Benue and Osun to N75,000, and Ondo to N73,000.
Acting General Secretary of the NLC, Mr. Benson Upah, told NAN in Abuja that the wage signed into law by President Tinubu was no longer realistic.
“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,” Upah said.
Observers believe the fresh demands from the labour unions may pave the way for another round of negotiations between the Federal Government and organised labour, especially as states continue to take bold steps above the federal wage threshold.
