The Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) and Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has disclosed that governors are weighing the possibility of increasing the national minimum wage to N100,000 in response to worsening economic conditions across the country.
AbdulRazaq made this known in a Facebook post on Saturday, explaining that the proposal is being considered due to persistent inflation, the rising cost of living, and growing financial challenges faced by Nigerian workers.
According to him, state governments are currently in discussions with the Federal Government and organised labour to develop a wage framework that improves workers’ welfare while remaining financially sustainable for governments.
“State governments recognise the urgent need to improve workers’ welfare in response to the current economic realities facing Nigerians,” AbdulRazaq said.
The NGF chairman noted that consultations are still ongoing to ensure that any upward review of wages does not overburden state finances.
“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 said the negotiations are centred on finding a balance between increasing workers’ purchasing power and maintaining the capacity of governments to fund essential 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.
AbdulRazaq stressed that while workers deserve better pay, governments must also take into account the financial realities facing states.
The proposed N100,000 minimum wage is likely to fuel further debate over salaries, inflation, and economic reforms as many Nigerians continue to struggle with rising food prices, transportation costs, and other living expenses.
Workers across the country have repeatedly complained that current wages are no longer adequate to meet basic household needs amid the prevailing economic challenges.
Nigeria’s official minimum wage currently stands at N70,000 per month.
However, some states, including Lagos, Rivers, and Imo, are reportedly paying above the national minimum wage in an effort to cushion the impact of economic hardship on workers.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has continued to advocate for a comprehensive salary review, arguing that workers should earn a living wage capable of meeting current economic realities rather than one that merely guarantees survival.
