Nigeria’s debate over workers’ pay has taken a sharper turn, with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) rejecting talk of a 100,000 naira minimum wage and insisting that Nigerian workers now need as much as 1 million naira a month to survive the country’s rising cost of living.
Speaking through its spokesperson Benson Upah, the union said the proposed 100,000 naira wage being discussed by state governors falls far below reality, given how expensive everyday life has become. From transport fares that keep rising almost monthly, to food items like rice, bread, and garri that many families now struggle to afford, the NLC says workers are being pushed to the edge.
The comments came after the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, suggested that governors were considering a new wage structure around 100,000 naira. The proposal was linked to rising inflation, higher living costs, and the pressure on state finances. But labour leaders say the number does not reflect what ordinary Nigerians are actually going through.
For many workers, the reality is already harsh. A large chunk of monthly income now goes into transport alone, especially in cities like Lagos and Abuja. Electricity bills are higher, school fees continue to rise, and even basic groceries no longer stretch as far as they used to. According to the NLC, this is why the current wage discussions feel disconnected from everyday life.
The union also argued that government revenues have increased and should be reflected in workers’ pay. It pointed to national earnings and shared allocations as proof that there may be room to do more for public sector workers, especially as inflation continues to erode purchasing power.
Nigeria’s economic pressure has deepened since fuel subsidies were removed and the naira was floated. While the Federal Government approved a 70,000 naira minimum wage in 2024 after long negotiations with labour, many workers say that increase has already been swallowed up by the rising cost of living.
In markets across the country, prices tell their own story. A simple shopping list that used to last a week now barely covers a few days for many households. Rent, transport, and food costs have all climbed at the same time, leaving families constantly adjusting and cutting back.
Still, not everyone agrees with the idea of a 1 million naira minimum wage. Some economists and state officials warn that such a figure would be difficult to sustain, especially for states already struggling with salary payments and debt obligations. They argue that while wage increases are necessary, they must match productivity and economic capacity.
Public reaction has been mixed. Some Nigerians say workers deserve far more than they currently earn, while others believe the demand is unrealistic in an economy still trying to stabilise. The debate has become another reflection of a deeper national frustration: how far salaries can really go in today’s Nigeria.
Negotiations between labour unions, state governors, and the Federal Government are expected to continue, but for now, there is no agreed figure on the table.
