The Federal Government has announced plans to review the ₦70,000 national minimum wage in response to the country’s rising cost of living, signalling possible relief for millions of Nigerian workers.
The Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, disclosed this on Thursday at the Good Governance Summit 2026 organised by Working People United (WoPU) in Abuja.
Gbajabiamila said the Tinubu administration recognises the growing economic hardship facing workers and is committed to ensuring that wages reflect prevailing economic realities.
He recalled that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu signed the ₦70,000 minimum wage into law in July 2024, raising the previous ₦30,000 benchmark by more than 100 per cent.
He also noted that the administration reduced the wage review cycle from five years to three years to ensure workers’ salaries keep pace with inflation and changing economic conditions.
According to him, while the ₦70,000 minimum wage was a significant milestone at the time of its introduction, current economic realities have made another review necessary.
Gbajabiamila assured organised labour that the Federal Government would approach the wage review through dialogue and partnership rather than confrontation, urging labour unions to continue engaging constructively in the process.
Also speaking at the summit, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Dingyadi, said the true measure of good governance lies in improving workers’ welfare.
He stressed that government policies should translate into better living standards, decent jobs, stronger social protection, increased productivity and broader economic opportunities for Nigerians.
The planned wage review is expected to reignite discussions between the Federal Government, labour unions and employers over a new minimum wage that reflects Nigeria’s current economic realities.
