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  • FG to Review ₦70,000 Minimum Wage as Cost of Living Rises, Says Gbajabiamila

    The Federal Government has announced plans to review the ₦70,000 national minimum wage as rising living costs continue to put pressure on Nigerian workers, Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, has said.

    Gbajabiamila made the announcement on Thursday at the Good Governance Summit 2026 organised by Working People United (WoPU) in Abuja, saying the Tinubu administration is committed to ensuring workers earn wages that reflect current economic realities.

    Government Promises Wage Review

    He recalled that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu signed the ₦70,000 minimum wage into law in July 2024, replacing the previous ₦30,000 benchmark.

    According to him, the President also reduced the wage review cycle from five years to three years to ensure workers’ salaries can be adjusted more frequently in response to changing economic conditions.

    Gbajabiamila said while the ₦70,000 minimum wage was a significant milestone when it was introduced, the government recognises the need for another review as the cost of living continues to increase.

    He assured workers that the review process would be carried out in collaboration with organised labour.

    “We will engage labour as partners, not as adversaries, to arrive at a fair outcome for Nigerian workers,” he said.

    Labour Minister Calls for Better Worker Welfare

    Also speaking at the summit, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Dingyadi, said the true measure of any government lies in how its policies improve the lives of workers.

    He said governance should deliver tangible benefits, including higher living standards, decent jobs, stronger social protection, improved productivity and wider economic opportunities.

    The planned review comes as labour unions and workers continue to express concerns over the impact of inflation and rising prices on household incomes.

     

  • Sowore Slams Nigeria’s Pay Structure, Says Leaders Earn More Than Workers

    Human rights activist and politician Omoyele Sowore has criticised Nigeria’s income structure, saying those in power earn far more than ordinary workers despite contributing less.

    Sowore raises concern over income inequality

    Speaking on inequality under the current administration, Sowore said the country’s compensation system is skewed against workers.

    “In this country, the people that are working are the least paid, and the people who don’t work are the well paid,” he said.

    Claims on lawmakers’ earnings spark debate

    Sowore alleged that an average Nigerian senator earns over ₦30 million monthly, despite limited legislative sittings.

    He argued that such earnings are disproportionate when compared to the financial struggles faced by everyday Nigerians.

    Workers struggle despite daily efforts

    According to him, many workers are unable to afford basic needs such as food, healthcare, and education, despite working consistently.

    He said the situation reflects a system that prioritises political office holders over the labour force.

    Call for shift in leadership priorities

    Sowore called for urgent reforms, insisting that leadership must prioritise the welfare of workers.

    “The greatest work on our hands now is to drive away the enemies of workers who are occupying positions of power in this country,” he added.

    He maintained that addressing inequality in governance and public sector pay is critical to improving living conditions.

  • Sanwo-Olu Approves ₦50,000 Relief for Lagos Workers Amid Economic Pressure

    Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has approved a ₦50,000 relief package for workers in the state, to be paid alongside their May salaries as part of measures to ease economic pressure.

    Relief announced at Workers’ Day event

    The governor made the announcement on Friday during the 2026 Workers’ Day celebration held at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos.

    Represented by his deputy, Obafemi Hamzat, Sanwo-Olu said the payment would cut across all categories of workers and may be reviewed in the coming months.

    “For this May, there will be an additional ₦50,000 for every worker in Lagos State, across board, irrespective of grade,” he said.

    Move aimed at easing economic hardship

    Sanwo-Olu acknowledged the impact of rising inflation and global economic challenges, noting that the government must continue to provide practical support for workers.

    He said the initiative reflects the state’s commitment to supporting its workforce, including teachers, healthcare workers, artisans, and civil servants.

    “Lagos is great because of you—the teacher who stays after hours, the nurse who takes a third shift, the artisan who passes on their trade,” he added.

    Government pledges continued engagement with labour

    The governor reaffirmed his administration’s willingness to maintain dialogue with organised labour, stressing that cooperation is key to sustaining industrial harmony.

    He noted that the state government remains committed to improving workers’ welfare and strengthening public service delivery.

    Security and infrastructure remain priorities

    Sanwo-Olu also highlighted ongoing investments in security infrastructure, including community policing and surveillance systems, describing safety as critical to productivity.

    He added that his administration would focus on completing key projects in transport, housing, and pensions before the end of its tenure.

  • Abiodun Approves Weekly Day Off, ₦10,000 Transport Allowance for Ogun Workers

    Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun has approved a weekly day off and a ₦10,000 monthly transport allowance for civil servants, a move aimed at easing the impact of rising fuel prices and cost of living, with the measures set to run for three months from April 2026.

    Relief measures announced

    The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Thursday by the Head of Service, Kehinde Onasanya, who said the decision was designed to provide immediate relief to workers facing increased transportation costs.

    According to him, the weekly day off will apply across the state workforce, while the ₦10,000 allowance will serve as a temporary palliative within the three-month period.

    “This is in addition to the payment of ₦10,000 special transport allowance as palliatives for three months commencing from April 2026,” Onasanya said.

    Who is affected

    Onasanya clarified that not all categories of workers will benefit from the weekly day-off arrangement.

    He explained that essential workers, including medical personnel, judicial staff, teachers, security operatives, and heads of departments, will be exempted from the one-day break.

    However, they will still receive the ₦10,000 transport allowance.

    Implementation plan

    The Head of Service said accounting officers across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies will determine the specific day off for eligible staff.

    This, he noted, is to ensure that government operations and service delivery are not disrupted.

    He added that the intervention is expected to not only cushion economic pressure but also improve worker productivity.

    Why the decision was taken

    The state government said the move is a direct response to the recent hike in fuel prices and the ripple effect on transportation and living costs.

    Onasanya described the approval as a timely intervention, urging workers to reciprocate the gesture with improved commitment and efficiency.

    Similar move in Oyo

    The development mirrors a similar policy in Oyo State, where Governor Seyi Makinde approved a ₦10,000 monthly transport allowance for civil servants.

    Makinde said the support, which began in March, will also run for an initial period of three months as part of efforts to ease economic hardship.