By Iyiola Olalere
The Tinubu Stakeholders Forum (TSF) says the growing momentum for a review of the national minimum wage by both the Federal Government and the Nigeria Governors’ Forum demonstrates that governments at all levels are responding proactively to the impact of rising living costs on Nigerian workers.
In a statement signed by its Chairman Ahmad Sajoh and Secretary Danjuma Sada, the Forum described the emerging consensus as evidence that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is committed not only to implementing bold but necessary economic reforms, but also to ensuring that the gains of those reforms translate into improved welfare for workers and their families.
The statement read in part: “TSF notes that the sequence of recent events tells an important story about the direction of the Nigerian economy. In July 2024, President Tinubu approved an increase in the national minimum wage from ₦30,000 to ₦70,000 and reduced the statutory review cycle from five years to three years to ensure that workers’ earnings keep pace with changing economic realities.
“Barely two years later, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum publicly proposed a new national minimum wage of ₦100,000. Now, the Federal Government has also signalled its readiness to review the current wage in recognition of prevailing economic realities.
“For us at the Tinubu Stakeholders Forum, this emerging consensus is significant because it shows that governments are taking the initiative to address the pressures of rising living costs.
“In Nigeria’s recent democratic history, minimum wage campaigns have largely been driven by organised labour, with governments responding based on affordability and fiscal constraints. Today, governments themselves are leading the conversation on improving workers’ welfare. That marks a significant shift in public policy and demonstrates a determination to ensure that the benefits of ongoing economic reforms reach ordinary Nigerians.
“The Forum believes that responsible leadership requires more than implementing difficult reforms. It also requires taking practical steps to cushion their temporary effects on citizens. The willingness of both the Federal Government and state governments to review workers’ wages reflects an understanding that economic reform and social protection must go hand in hand.
“TSF therefore encourages organised labour to approach the forthcoming discussions in a spirit of pragmatism and constructive partnership. The willingness of both the Federal Government and state governments to initiate discussions on improving workers’ welfare presents a unique opportunity to build a broad national consensus that is fair, sustainable, and responsive to prevailing economic realities.”
The Forum urged all stakeholders also to resolve the contentious issue of consequential salary adjustments alongside negotiations on the new minimum wage.
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