Governors consider N100,000 minimum wage amid economic hardship

The Nigeria Governors’ Forum says state governors are considering a new national minimum wage of N100,000 as part of ongoing consultations with the Federal Government and organised labour to address the impact of rising inflation and living costs on workers.

The Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) and Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has disclosed that state governors are considering a new national minimum wage of N100,000 in response to worsening economic conditions across the country. AbdulRazaq made the disclosure in a Facebook post on Saturday, saying the proposal was informed by rising inflation, increasing living costs and growing financial pressure on Nigerian workers.

According to him, state governments are already engaging the Federal Government and organised labour to develop a wage structure that improves workers’ welfare while remaining financially sustainable. “State governments recognise the urgent need to improve workers’ welfare in response to the current economic realities facing Nigerians,” AbdulRazaq said. He added: “We are actively engaging with the Federal Government and organised labour to arrive at a wage structure that is fair to workers and sustainable for government finances.”

The NGF chairman said discussions were focused on balancing workers’ purchasing power with the ability of governments to continue delivering essential services and infrastructure. “The goal is to improve the living conditions of workers while ensuring that states can continue to meet their obligations and sustain development projects that directly impact citizens,” he said. He noted that while workers deserved improved remuneration, policymakers must also consider the fiscal realities facing subnational governments. The proposed N100,000 minimum wage is expected to fuel further debate on salaries, inflation and economic reforms as many Nigerians continue to struggle with rising food, transportation and other living costs.

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