The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has disclosed that state governors are proposing a new national minimum wage of ₦100,000 as part of efforts to improve workers’ welfare and cushion the impact of the country’s worsening economic challenges.
Chairman of the NGF and Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, made the revelation in a statement shared by the Kwara State Government on Saturday, noting that the proposal was driven by the increasing cost of living, persistent inflation and growing financial pressures facing Nigerian workers.
According to AbdulRazaq, state governments recognise the urgent need to review workers’ salaries in line with prevailing economic realities across the country.
He explained that governors are currently holding consultations with the Federal Government and organised labour to arrive at a wage structure that would improve workers’ standard of living while remaining sustainable for governments at all levels.
“State governments recognise the urgent need to improve workers’ welfare in response to the current economic realities facing Nigerians,” AbdulRazaq said.
He added that discussions are ongoing to ensure that any new wage arrangement strikes a balance between workers’ welfare and the financial capacity of states.
“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,” the NGF chairman stated.
AbdulRazaq said the objective is to boost workers’ purchasing power without undermining the ability of state governments to fund critical infrastructure projects and provide essential public services.
“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.
The governor noted that while workers deserve improved remuneration, policymakers must also consider the fiscal realities confronting many states.
The proposal for a ₦100,000 minimum wage is expected to reignite national debate over wages, inflation and broader economic reforms as millions of Nigerians continue to grapple with rising food prices, transportation costs and other living expenses.
Many workers have repeatedly complained that their current salaries are no longer sufficient to meet basic household needs amid the country’s economic challenges.
Nigeria’s official minimum wage currently stands at ₦70,000 per month following the wage review approved by the Federal Government.
However, several states, including Lagos, Rivers and Imo, are already paying above the national benchmark as part of efforts to support workers and mitigate the impact of inflation.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has continued to advocate for a comprehensive salary review, arguing that workers deserve a living wage capable of meeting modern economic realities rather than a wage that merely guarantees survival.
If approved, the proposed ₦100,000 national minimum wage would represent a significant increase from the current threshold and could have far-reaching implications for workers, state governments and the nation’s economy.
