The Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, said state governors are considering a new national minimum wage of N100,000 amid rising economic hardship in the country.
AbdulRazaq disclosed this in a Facebook post on Saturday, noting that the proposal was driven by inflation, the rising cost of living, and mounting financial pressure on Nigerian workers.
According to him, state governments are engaging the Federal Government and organised labour to agree on a wage structure that balances workers’ welfare with fiscal sustainability.
“State governments recognise the urgent need to improve workers’ welfare in response to the current economic realities facing Nigerians,” AbdulRazaq said.
The NGF chairman added that consultations were ongoing to ensure that any new wage regime would not place excessive financial strain on states.
“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,” he stated.
He explained that the discussions focused on striking a balance between enhancing workers’ purchasing power and preserving governments’ ability to deliver critical public services and infrastructure projects.
“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 better remuneration, policymakers must also consider the fiscal realities confronting subnational governments.
The proposed N100,000 minimum wage is expected to intensify national conversations around salaries, inflation, and broader economic reforms as Nigerians continue to grapple with rising food prices, transportation costs, and other living expenses.
Many workers have repeatedly expressed concerns that their current earnings are no longer sufficient to meet basic household needs amid the country’s challenging economic environment.
Nigeria’s statutory minimum wage currently stands at N70,000 per month.
However, several states, including Lagos, Rivers and Imo, are reported to be paying above the national benchmark as part of efforts to support workers.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Labour Congress has continued to push for a comprehensive review of workers’ salaries, insisting that employees deserve a living wage capable of meeting present-day economic demands rather than one that merely guarantees survival.
PUNCH
