Atiku to Tinubu: Increase N70,000 minimum wage now

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has called on President Bola Tinubu to increase the minimum wage, arguing that the current ₦70,000 wage level has lost purchasing power amid rising petrol prices and living costs.

Atiku, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), said the increase from ₦30,000 to ₦70,000 had not translated into improved welfare for workers because of higher expenses on transportation, food, rent and other necessities.

In a statement issued on Sunday by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communications of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Atiku said the removal of petrol subsidy had increased pressure on Nigerian workers.

He said the current minimum wage could only purchase about 50 litres of petrol at a price of ₦1,400 per litre.

“At ₦1,400 a litre, the entire ₦70,000 monthly minimum wage buys just 50 litres of petrol,” Atiku said.

He questioned what remained for workers after transportation, feeding and other household expenses had been deducted.

Atiku said that in April 2023, before the increase in petrol prices, the ₦30,000 minimum wage could buy about 118 litres of petrol based on the prevailing price at the time.

He argued that although workers now earn a higher figure on paper, the value of the income had reduced due to inflation and increased living costs.

“The payslip has grown, but the fuel it can buy has more than halved,” he said.

The former vice-president also compared Nigeria’s minimum wage with those of some African countries, arguing that the country’s wage level remained low when measured against current economic realities.

He acknowledged that wage structures and living costs differ across countries but insisted that Nigerian workers require better protection against rising expenses.

Atiku urged the Federal Government to approve a substantial increase in the minimum wage to reflect the cost of food, transportation, rent and electricity.