Atiku Calls On President Tinubu Over Substantial Wage Increase

Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, Atiku Abubakar, has called on President Bola Tinubu to immediately raise the national minimum wage, arguing that the current N70,000 wage has been eroded by rising costs of fuel, food, transportation, and housing.

Atiku, in a statement on Sunday, issued by the Director of Strategic Communications of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Phrank Shaibu, said workers were being forced to cope with a sharp decline in their purchasing power despite the increase in the statutory minimum wage.

He challenged the federal government to agree to what he described as a substantial wage increase that reflects prevailing living costs.

Recall that the FG raised the minimum wage from N30,000 to N70,000 in July 2024 after negotiations with organised labour. President Tinubu also said at the time that the wage would be reviewed after three years.

However, Atiku argued that the increase had failed to adequately protect workers from the effects of rising prices.

“At N1,400 a litre, the entire N70,000 monthly minimum wage buys just 50 litres of petrol. What does the worker take home to feed the children? What pays the rent? What gets that worker back to work on Monday?” the statement queried in part.

Atiku compared the purchasing power of the old and current wage levels, saying that at the April 2023 national average petrol price of N254.06 per litre, the sum of N30,000 could purchase about 118 litres, whereas N70,000 at N1,400 per litre would purchase about 50 litres.

“The payslip has grown, but the fuel it can buy has more than halved. Tinubu has given workers a larger number and left them with a smaller life. That is hardship dressed up as a wage increase,” he added.

His comments come amid renewed pressure over petrol prices and the wider cost of living.