Nigerian workers push for $365 minimum wage amid inflation
Nigerian labor leaders are preparing to demand a statutory minimum wage of ₦500,000 to help workers cope with soaring inflation and high living costs.
Nigerian workers are mounting a fresh push for statutory pay reform, targeting a monthly minimum wage equivalent to $365 as ongoing economic pressures erode the real value of current earnings, according to reports from Business Insider Africa.
The renewed campaign comes as households grapple with soaring food, transport, and housing expenses. Labour leaders are preparing for fresh negotiations with the federal government, arguing that the existing statutory pay floor no longer covers basic household needs. Speaking at the Rights of Workers Summit in Birnin Kebbi, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President Joe Ajaero, represented by Deputy President Audu Titus Amba, indicated that preparations are underway to reopen discussions with the authorities. The union is targeting a floor of at least ₦500,000, which translates to roughly $365.
Media additions
"Anything less than ₦500,000 cannot cater for workers. The current minimum wage is due for review, and we will soon begin negotiations with the government,"
Joe Ajaero, NLC President, via Business Insider Africa
This renewed push follows previous adjustments intended to cushion workers from major economic reforms, including the removal of petrol subsidies and changes to the foreign exchange system. Despite improving economic growth forecasts—with the International Monetary Fund expecting Africa's most populous economy to grow by 4.1% in 2026 after an estimated 4% growth in 2025—high inflation continues to weigh heavily on households. The National Bureau of Statistics puts headline inflation at 15.91%, while food inflation stands at 17.52%. Furthermore, the IMF has estimated that 63% of Nigerians live below the national poverty line, with about 27 million people facing food insecurity in late 2025.
Trade Union Congress President Festus Osifo, represented by Secretary General Nuhu Toro, also noted that rising costs have severely weakened purchasing power. Meanwhile, Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris backed calls for higher pay, stating that he would raise the issue through the Nigeria Governors' Forum.
State-level implementation and regional affordability remain uneven across the federation. In Kano State, a committee tasked with advising on wage implementation is yet to submit its report, pointing to data adjustments and ongoing reviews. Baba Dantiye, Kano State Commissioner for Information and a member of the committee, disclosed that the panel still has ground to cover due to available data adjustments, though consequential adjustments have been completed for officers on levels one to six. Kano NLC chairman Kabiru Inuwa stated that organised labour is awaiting a far-reaching adjustment table from the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission to guide negotiations.
Political leaders have also highlighted regional discrepancies in revenue and capacity. Katsina State Governor Dikko Radda argued that sub-nationals should be allowed to determine their own minimum wage based on a federal standard. Speaking on television, Governor Radda noted that states face varying revenues and civil service capacities, pointing out that some sub-nationals still struggle to meet past wage floors, such as the previous ₦30,000 minimum wage introduced in 2019.
"For me to sit down here and tell you that this is the amount that I will agree to pay my civil servants, I cannot do it. Because we are running a government, we need to take this thing into executive council to sit down with all the important people in government, look at our revenue, look at our expenditure, look at the strength of our civil servants before we can conclude,"
Dikko Radda, Katsina State Governor, via Punch Newspapers
| Country / Region | Statutory Minimum Wage | Approximate Dollar Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| Nigeria (Current) | ₦70,000 monthly | $51 |
| Kenya (General / Housing) | KSh18,531 monthly | $145 |
| Egypt (State employees) | EGP8,000 monthly | $160 |
| South Africa | R5,239 monthly | $320 |
| Mauritius | Rs17,745 monthly | $375 |
The comparative figures illustrate a wide gap between Nigeria and its continental peers. While Nigerian workers receive approximately $51 monthly under the current ₦70,000 wage floor signed into law in July 2024, counterparts in Kenya, South Africa, and Mauritius earn significantly higher statutory amounts. A minimum wage worker in Kenya earns nearly three times Nigeria's statutory floor in dollar terms, while South Africa pays more than six times higher, and Mauritius pays more than seven times Nigeria's current level.
As debates continue across state capitals and federal committees, workers and administrators await further clarity on upcoming review cycles, tripartite committee proposals, and policy adjustments from both federal and sub-national authorities.
