State governors are talking about a new national minimum wage of N100,000.
The idea was confirmed by the Nigeria Governors’ Forum chairman and Kwara State governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, in a Facebook post on Saturday. He said the push comes from inflation, the rising cost of living, and mounting financial pressure on Nigerian workers.
AbdulRazaq said state governments are working with the Federal Government and organised labour to find a wage plan that helps workers without breaking the bank for states. “State governments recognise the urgent need to improve workers’ welfare in response to the current economic realities facing Nigerians,” he wrote.
He added that talks are still under way so any new wage does not place too much strain on state finances. “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 said.
The discussions aim to boost workers’ buying power while protecting governments’ ability to fund services and projects. “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,” he said.
AbdulRazaq also warned that while workers deserve better pay, policymakers must remember the fiscal realities facing subnational governments. The proposed N100,000 minimum wage is likely to heat up talks on salaries, inflation and wider economic reforms as Nigerians struggle with rising food, transport and other costs.
