The Federal Government has signaled plans to revisit the national minimum wage, acknowledging that the current N70,000 baseline has been overtaken by harsh economic realities.
The Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, disclosed this in Abuja at the Good Governance Summit organized by Working People United (WoPU). He emphasized that the President Bola Tinubu administration does not view Organized Labour as an adversary, but as a strategic partner in navigating the country’s economic challenges.
The N70,000 minimum wage was signed into law by President Tinubu in July 2024, a decision that significantly doubled the previous N30,000 benchmark. At the time, the government also shortened the statutory review window from five years to three years to ensure worker compensation remains dynamic.
Gbajabiamila stated that while the N70,000 wage was a major milestone in 2024, it must now be “honestly reassessed” against the rising cost of living.
The presidency assured workers that the upcoming review process will be approached with transparency and mutual respect, rather than confrontation.
Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Dingyadi, echoed these sentiments at the event, noting that the true measure of any government policy is its tangible impact on the living standards and social protection of its workforce.
Gbajabiamila urged labor union leaders and workers nationwide to prioritize constructive dialogue over industrial disruption, reaffirming that President Tinubu remains fully committed to ensuring Nigerian workers receive a fair and commensurate wage.
