The Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) and Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has revealed that state governors are considering a proposal to increase Nigeria’s national minimum wage to ₦100,000.
Grassroots Parrot reports that the governors were making the move in response to the worsening economic conditions facing workers across the country.
AbdulRazaq disclosed this in a Facebook post on Saturday, explaining that the proposal is being driven by rising inflation, the increasing cost of living, and the growing financial burden on Nigerian workers.
He noted that many workers are struggling to cope with the sharp rise in the prices of food items, transportation, housing, healthcare, and other basic necessities.
According to the NGF chairman, state governments are currently holding consultations with the Federal Government and organised labour to develop a wage structure that will improve workers’ welfare while remaining sustainable for government finances.
He stressed that governors recognise the urgent need to support workers in the face of prevailing economic realities.
AbdulRazaq said discussions are focused on finding a balance between improving workers’ purchasing power and ensuring that state governments can continue to meet their financial obligations, provide essential public services, and execute critical infrastructure projects.
He explained that while workers deserve better remuneration, policymakers must also take into consideration the fiscal challenges confronting many state governments.
According to him, any wage increase must be carefully designed to avoid creating financial pressures that could affect the delivery of development programmes and public services.
The NGF chairman added that the ultimate goal of the ongoing negotiations is to improve the living standards of workers while ensuring that governments at all levels maintain the capacity to fund education, healthcare, road construction, and other projects that directly impact citizens.
The proposed ₦100,000 minimum wage is expected to intensify national discussions on salaries, inflation, workers’ welfare, and broader economic reforms.
Labour unions and civil society groups have repeatedly argued that the current wage structure is no longer adequate to meet the needs of an average Nigerian worker due to the persistent rise in living costs.
Nigeria’s statutory minimum wage currently stands at ₦70,000 per month following the most recent wage review.
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However, several states, including Lagos State, Rivers State and Imo State, are reported to be paying above the national benchmark as part of efforts to cushion the effects of economic hardship on workers.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Labour Congress has continued to call for a comprehensive review of workers’ salaries, insisting that employees deserve a living wage that reflects current economic realities rather than one that merely guarantees survival.
Analysts say the outcome of the consultations between governors, the Federal Government and organised labour will be closely watched by millions of Nigerian workers, as expectations continue to grow for measures that can ease the impact of inflation and improve household incomes across the country.