Governors Push Tinubu to Approve N100,000 National Minimum Wage

ABUJA — Nigerian state governors have formally sought President Bola Tinubu’s approval for a new national minimum wage of N100,000. The Nation confirmed the NGF request on Monday. The governors made the request through the Nigerian Governors Forum after consultations with organised labour representatives and the federal government negotiating team.

The current national minimum wage of N70,000 was agreed in 2024 following intense labour negotiations that included strike threats from the NLC and TUC. Labour unions have since argued that the N70,000 figure has been eroded by inflation and is no longer adequate given the rising cost of food, transportation, and housing across the country.

NGF Chairman and Kwara Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq said governors are committed to ensuring workers are fairly compensated. However, he noted that many state governments are already struggling to pay the current N70,000 minimum wage consistently. He said any new minimum must come with a clear federal support framework for states.

Labour’s Demand

The NLC and TUC have been demanding a significantly higher minimum wage. Labour leaders initially called for N250,000 per month. The N100,000 figure being proposed by governors represents a compromise that neither fully satisfies labour nor feels affordable to many state governments.

Economists said the minimum wage debate reflects Nigeria’s broader wage-productivity challenge. A higher minimum wage without corresponding productivity gains can drive inflation and reduce formal sector employment. However, keeping wages too low depresses consumer spending and deepens poverty.

Tinubu is expected to make a final decision on the minimum wage before the end of June. The Presidency said all stakeholder inputs are being considered. A Labour Day announcement was anticipated but did not materialise, suggesting the negotiations are more complex than initially expected.