Heads of Federal Government Establishments Call for Higher National Minimum Wage Amidst Soaring Inflation.
The National Forum of Heads of Federal Government Establishments in Nigeria (NAFOHEADS) has added its voice to the growing chorus of concerns regarding the adequacy of the current N70,000 national minimum wage. Speaking yesterday, Friday, July 18, 2025, at an inter-denominational service to mark the 2025 African Civil Service Week in Osogbo, Osun State, Mr. Samuel Adekunle, Chairman of the Osun State chapter of NAFOHEADS, asserted that the N70,000 benchmark has "lost its monetary value" due to the relentless surge in inflation and the escalating cost of living across the country.
Adekunle highlighted the deepening plight of Nigerian workers, stating that their pains have intensified despite the implementation of the N70,000 minimum wage, which President Bola Tinubu signed into law in July 2024. He emphasized that the persistent rise in the cost of goods and services has significantly eroded the purchasing power of the average worker, making it increasingly difficult for them to meet their basic needs and maintain a reasonable standard of living.
The call from NAFOHEADS is significant as it comes from within the federal civil service, traditionally a key beneficiary and implementing body of national wage policies. This internal acknowledgment of the wage's inadequacy could add pressure on the government to revisit the minimum wage negotiations sooner than the stipulated three-year review cycle. Labour unions have consistently argued that while the N70,000 was an increase, it was already insufficient at the time it was agreed upon, given the prevailing economic conditions.
The demand for a higher national minimum wage underscores the continuous struggle between economic realities and policy frameworks in Nigeria. As inflation continues its upward trajectory, the purchasing power of fixed incomes, including wages, diminishes, leading to widespread calls for adjustments. The government now faces the challenge of balancing fiscal sustainability with the urgent need to provide a living wage that genuinely alleviates the economic hardships faced by Nigerian workers.
I'm Adedayo Obadina
Talksocialtalks
