Abdulraheem muhammed olarewaju
Following an agreement between President Bola Tinubu and labor groups on greater remuneration for workers, the National Assembly is expected to receive an executive bill on the new national minimum wage.
Led by their respective presidents, Joe Ajaero and Festus Osifo, President Tinubu and officials from the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) agreed on N70,000 as the new national minimum wage on Thursday at the Aso Presidential Villa in Abuja. This will replace the former minimum wage of N30,000, which expires on April 18, 2024.
The declaration of the new minimum wage has elicited various reactions.
Many Nigerians voice concerns about the viability of the new pay given inflation, high gasoline prices, and an unstable economy.
Emma O. Akpasubi, a Facebook user, emphasized the need for additional economic measures to make the new minimum wage effective. “Three things are necessary for the new minimum wage to be relevant under prevailing circumstances: the value of the naira must appreciate, inflation must be checked, and basic food items should be available at affordable costs. The National Assembly should look into these,” Akpasubi stated.
Edozie Loui, another social media user, expressed concerns about the practical impact of the new wage, saying, “Under this level of inflation and high cost of petroleum, N70,000 is equal to nothing. This idea is one step forward, three steps backward. If nothing is done about the devaluation of the naira and high cost of petrol, the minimum wage will mean give and take.”
Dare Afolayan criticized the timing and motives behind the wage increase, commenting, “See how they approved that cheap minimum wage just a few days to the protest. They are very smart in protecting their corruption and making us powerless, using us against ourselves.”
Meanwhile, Alaka Abiola Michael called for a more positive outlook, saying, “We should appreciate this government for approving N70,000 as minimum wage and also pray for the betterment of things in other areas. God should intervene instead of saying different kinds of things.”
Justin Psc urged the government to revisit previous economic policies, saying, “Bring back our fuel subsidy and check and control inflation in the country.”
Friday Samson showed skepticism about the effectiveness of the new wage, stating, “After all the stress, overnight meetings, ‘we no go gree,’ ‘aluta continua,’ ‘solidarity forever.’ Now, three cheers for Mr. President. Nigerians, no leader will fight for you, fight for yourself.”
Edozie Loui highlighted the plight of the unemployed, asking, “Most times I wonder what the government thinks about the jobless class in this country. Or do they think that everybody is a civil servant to benefit from the minimum wage?”
Kingsley Ngozi Azuruole doubted the new wage would address hunger issues, commenting, “I hope that will stop the hunger issues in a country where there are no checks and balances. So sorry, Nigerians.”
Emmanuel Mendel Oloruntoba commended labor efforts, stating, “Labour’s efforts are commendable.”
Kelly Okoeguale called for transparency from labor unions, suggesting, “The unions should give us a breakdown analysis of how they arrived at N70,000 for a family of six.”
Duke IteMoney compared Nigerian wages to international standards, noting, “Imagine the type of leaders we have in Nigeria. One hundred dollars that people earn in a day in the USA, which is equivalent to N160,000, but the minimum wage for civil servants is just N70,000 a month under this inflation in Nigeria. Hunger and crime must be the answer, period.”
Victoria Oche accused labor leaders of corruption, saying, “The labor chairman has been bribed with a huge amount of money, so he won’t say a word again. All of them are birds of the same feather, so they flock together.”
Segun Joshua noted the perceived futility of the wage increase, commenting, “Labour agreed to N70,000, then fuel prices increase to N1,000. You haven’t seen anything yet.”
Solomon Ray criticized the adequacy of the new wage, asking, “Minimum wage that cannot buy a bag of rice? Is that a minimum wage?”
Owuda Okene Philip remarked on the timing of fuel price increases, noting, “Labour accepts N70,000, but fuel increases in price to N1,117.”
Ekwem Benjamin equated the new wage to food prices, saying, “N70,000 minimum wage equals 10 tubers of yam as of today.”
Ubong Ben was indifferent, commenting, “That one concern if they like make dey collect N2,000 as minimum wage.”
Solo Buchyno criticized the wage’s purchasing power, asking, “How much is a bag of rice?”
Amobi Ben noted the discrepancy between wages and food prices, lamenting, “N70,000 naira and a bag of rice is now N80,000 naira. Cry my beloved country.”
Obinna Nnamani questioned the wage’s practicality, asking, “How much is a bag of rice? What can N70,000 buy in the market now?”
Adeyemi Adedayo observed, “Even the woman was not looking happy.”
Segun Joshua noted the president’s demeanor, stating, “He is the only one laughing, Mr. Lagbaja.”
Ayabese Felix commented on the political context, stating, “Hmmmm APC.”
Nwadike Chimezie Lazarus humorously noted the labor leader’s expression, asking, “Why are Ajaero’s eyes shining like someone pressing his neck?”
Lastly, Ayuba Umar compared previous administrations, stating, “Buhari’s N30,000 is by far better than Tinubu’s N70,000 minimum wage.”
