The Federal Government has indicated that Nigeria’s current ₦70,000 national minimum wage may undergo a review as economic realities continue to change and the cost of living rises.
Chief of Staff to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, disclosed this on Thursday in Abuja during an event organised by Working People United, noting that the wage introduced in 2024 had become due for reassessment.
Gbajabiamila described the ₦70,000 minimum wage as a major achievement of the Tinubu administration but admitted that prevailing economic conditions require a fresh evaluation of its adequacy.
He said the government understands the concerns of Nigerian workers and would engage labour unions as partners whenever discussions on a new wage structure begin.
“The ₦70,000 wage, which was a milestone in 2024, must be honestly reassessed against today’s realities,” he stated.
The former Speaker of the House of Representatives stressed that the government’s priority remains ensuring workers receive fair compensation that reflects their contribution to national development.
Gbajabiamila also urged labour leaders to embrace dialogue instead of frequent industrial actions, saying cooperation between government and workers is key to achieving economic stability.
According to him, good governance requires collaboration between leaders and citizens, adding that industrial harmony can only be sustained through continuous engagement.
The development comes amid growing calls from labour groups and public sector workers for an upward review of the minimum wage, with many arguing that inflation has reduced the value of the current salary benchmark.
Civil servants under the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC) have continued to push for a higher wage, insisting that many workers are struggling to cope with rising living expenses.
The Federal Government’s position signals that fresh negotiations on the national minimum wage could soon become a major issue between government officials and organised labour.
