N70,000 minimum wage no longer enough for Nigerian workers — Keyamo

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Festus Keyamo says Nigeria’s N70,000 national minimum wage is no longer sufficient to shield workers from the rising cost of living.

Keyamo made the remarks at the 2026 National Pre-Retirement Summit organised by XEM Consultants Limited.

The minister said continuing economic pressures had reduced workers’ purchasing power and argued that the Federal Government and organised labour would need to reach a compromise on improved wages.

Nigeria’s minimum wage was increased from N30,000 to N70,000 in 2024 following negotiations between the government, labour unions and other stakeholders.

Keyamo said circumstances had changed since that agreement and that the current wage was no longer adequate to absorb the financial pressures facing many workers.

He also criticised situations in some public institutions where workers struggle to receive basic allowances while substantial sums are approved for other official expenses.

The minister stressed that workers remain central to productivity and the functioning of government institutions.

Nigeria Labour Congress President Joe Ajaero, who also spoke at the summit, called for additional measures to cushion workers against rising food, transport, fuel and other living costs.

The remarks come amid renewed demands from organised labour and public-sector workers for wage adjustments that better reflect current economic conditions.