Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has acknowledged that Nigeria’s ₦70,000 national minimum wage is no longer sufficient for many workers to cope with the rising cost of living and increasing economic pressures across the country.

Keyamo made the statement while speaking at the 2026 National Pre-Retirement Summit, organised by XEM Consultants Limited, where he addressed issues surrounding workers’ welfare, remuneration, productivity and the need for stronger protection of employees in the face of rising living expenses.

The minister said the increase in the cost of essential goods and services had significantly affected workers’ purchasing power, making it increasingly difficult for many employees to meet their everyday financial obligations on the existing minimum wage.

According to him, the prevailing economic situation makes further discussions around workers’ salaries and welfare unavoidable, particularly as organised labour continues to push for improved remuneration.

Keyamo therefore called on the Federal Government to find common ground with organised labour in the ongoing wage discussions, noting that labour unions have demanded a new minimum wage of as much as ₦500,000.

He recalled the negotiations that preceded the increase in Nigeria’s national minimum wage from ₦30,000 to ₦70,000 in 2024, but said economic realities had continued to change since the adjustment.

The minister noted that while the 2024 wage increase represented a significant adjustment at the time, the purchasing power of the current wage has been weakened by the rising cost of living and other economic challenges confronting households.

Keyamo also expressed concern over what he described as the poor treatment of workers by some government agencies and institutions.

He particularly criticised situations in which employees struggle to receive basic allowances and other legitimate entitlements while senior government officials are allegedly able to approve substantial sums for international travels and other official engagements.

The minister said such practices could have a negative effect on workers’ morale and productivity, arguing that government institutions cannot function effectively without the people who operate them.

I will have none of it. Without these workers, we will not have a country, Keyamo said.

He stressed that workers should not be regarded merely as a cost to government institutions but as a critical component of national development.

According to him, the performance of public institutions, ministries, departments and agencies ultimately depends on the quality, motivation and welfare of the people responsible for carrying out their duties.

Keyamo said the human element remains indispensable regardless of the level of technological advancement or the amount of infrastructure available to a country.

It’s not the machines or everything that you have; it’s the human factor. Without that, no machine will move, he said.

The aviation minister further urged his fellow ministers, permanent secretaries and heads of government agencies to pay greater attention to the welfare of their employees.

He argued that bureaucratic procedures and institutional constraints should not be allowed to overshadow the legitimate needs of workers.

Keyamo said improving workers’ welfare could also contribute to greater productivity, better public service delivery and stronger institutional performance.

He urged government officials to consider the realities facing ordinary workers when making decisions about allowances, salaries and other employment-related matters.

The minister’s comments come amid continued public discussions over the adequacy of wages in Nigeria and the impact of inflation and higher living expenses on household finances.

For many workers, the issue goes beyond the nominal amount contained in a salary structure, with the actual value of earnings increasingly determined by the cost of food, transportation, housing, healthcare, education and other essential services.

Also speaking at the summit, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, called on the government to take additional measures to cushion workers and other Nigerians against rising economic pressures.

Ajaero pointed specifically to increases in the cost of fuel, transportation and food, which he said were placing additional financial burdens on households.

The NLC president argued that wage negotiations should not be based solely on the numerical value of salaries but should take into consideration what workers can actually afford with their earnings.

He maintained that the real purchasing power of workers should remain a central consideration in discussions over wages and remuneration.

The position reflects the wider debate surrounding the relationship between salary increases and the cost of living, particularly in an economy where changes in the prices of basic goods and services can significantly affect household budgets.

Nigeria’s minimum wage debate has remained a major issue between government and organised labour, particularly as workers continue to seek improved earnings that can better reflect prevailing economic conditions.

The increase from ₦30,000 to ₦70,000 in 2024 followed negotiations between the Federal Government, organised labour and other stakeholders.

However, Keyamo’s latest remarks indicate that questions over the adequacy of the current wage remain unresolved.

While the government has continued to face demands for improved worker welfare, authorities must also consider the broader economic implications of wage adjustments, including the ability of employers and different levels of government to sustain increased wage bills.

For workers, however, the central concern remains whether their earnings are sufficient to meet basic needs and maintain a reasonable standard of living.

Keyamo’s intervention at the pre-retirement summit therefore adds another voice from within the Federal Government to the continuing conversation over wages, workers’ welfare and the broader cost-of-living crisis.

The minister’s call for the government to meet labour halfway also underscores the need for continued dialogue between government representatives and organised labour as both sides consider possible approaches to improving workers’ welfare while addressing wider economic realities.

As discussions continue, the focus is likely to remain on how to balance workers’ demand for better purchasing power with the financial capacity of employers and governments, while ensuring that salary structures support productivity and sustainable economic development.