The Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has disclosed that state governors are considering a new national minimum wage of N100,000 in response to worsening economic conditions across the country.
AbdulRazaq, who also serves as governor of Kwara State, made the disclosure in a Facebook post on Saturday, citing rising inflation, escalating living costs, and increasing financial pressure on Nigerian workers as key factors driving the discussions.
According to him, state governments are currently consulting with the federal government and organised labour to arrive at a wage structure that balances improved workers’ welfare with fiscal sustainability.
“State governments recognise the urgent need to improve workers’ welfare in response to the current economic realities facing Nigerians,” AbdulRazaq stated.
The NGF chairman explained that ongoing consultations were aimed at ensuring that any upward review of wages would not create unbearable financial pressure for state governments.
“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 added.
He noted that the discussions centred on achieving a balance between boosting workers’ purchasing power and preserving governments’ capacity to fund critical infrastructure and 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,” AbdulRazaq said.
The governor stressed that while workers deserved better remuneration in line with prevailing economic realities, policymakers must also consider the financial constraints confronting many subnational governments.
The proposed N100,000 minimum wage is expected to intensify nationwide debates around salaries, inflation, and economic reforms as Nigerians continue to grapple with rising food prices, transportation costs, and other basic living expenses.
Many workers across the country have repeatedly complained that current earnings are no longer sufficient to cater for household needs amid persistent economic challenges.
Nigeria’s statutory minimum wage currently stands at N70,000 monthly. However, some states, including Lagos State, Rivers State and Imo State, are reportedly paying above the national benchmark in efforts to cushion the effects of economic hardship on workers.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Labour Congress has continued to advocate a comprehensive review of workers’ salaries, insisting that Nigerian employees deserve a living wage capable of meeting modern economic realities rather than salaries that merely guarantee survival.
