Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has urged President Bola Tinubu to increase Nigeria’s minimum wage.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate backed organised labour’s demand for higher pay. Atiku said rising fuel, food, transport and rent costs have weakened workers’ purchasing power. He made the remarks in a statement by his campaign spokesman, Phrank Shaibu.
Atiku argued that the ₦70,000 minimum wage no longer matches today’s living costs. He compared the current wage with petrol prices to explain his position.
“At ₦1,400 a litre, the entire ₦70,000 monthly minimum wage buys just 50 litres of petrol,” he said.
Atiku added that ₦30,000 could buy about 118 litres in April 2023.
“The payslip has grown, but the fuel it can buy has more than halved,” he said.
The former vice president also criticised the removal of petrol subsidies. He said the policy increased pressure on working families before adequate protection came.
“Fuel, transport, food and rent have devoured their earnings,” Atiku said.
He also challenged Tinubu to approve a substantial wage increase that reflects current living costs. Meanwhile, labour leaders have also called for a review of the ₦70,000 wage.
Looking ahead, Atiku promised to raise the wage floor from his first day in office if elected in 2027. He also proposed targeted production subsidies for locally refined petroleum products. According to him, such support should have spending limits and independent audits.
“A living wage must buy a living,” Atiku said.
“Tinubu has made life painfully expensive. I will make life affordable again.”
For now, Atiku is calling for urgent wage action as Nigerian workers face rising living costs. He says higher pay must come with policies that make essentials more affordable.
