Governors mull N100,000 minimum wage to ease hardship on workers

By Victor Idajili

Nigerian governors are discussing a raise of the national minimum wage to N100,000, less than two years after the current N70,000 took effect.

The plan came up on Saturday when Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, who chairs the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, visited President Bola Tinubu for Sallah. He said state governments, the Federal Government and labour unions are already talking about a possible wage review.

AbdulRazaq said the move is a response to rising inflation and the pressure workers face from higher food, transport and utility costs. 

“State governments recognize that workers’ welfare must match current economic realities,” he said. “We’re working with the Federal Government and labour to find a wage that’s fair to workers and still sustainable for states.”

 
Governors admit public sector workers are struggling. But they also worry about state budgets. The challenge, AbdulRazaq explained, is boosting workers’ purchasing power without killing funds for roads, schools, hospitals and other projects.

“The goal is better living conditions for workers while states can still deliver services people depend on,” he added.

 
N70,000 became the minimum wage only recently. Yet many workers say it barely covers basic needs with food prices and transport fares climbing monthly. Labour unions have kept pushing for a wage that reflects the actual cost of living, not just survival.

No final figure has been agreed yet. But the N100,000 benchmark is the clearest sign so far that both federal and state governments are seriously considering an increase.

The talks are expected to spark fresh debate nationwide on wages, inflation and how to keep the economy afloat while making life easier for workers.