Atiku calls for higher minimum wage as former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar urges President Bola Tinubu to increase Nigeria’s current ₦70,000 national minimum wage, arguing that rising costs of fuel, food, transportation, rent and other basic necessities have significantly reduced what workers can afford with their monthly earnings.
Atiku made the demand in a statement issued on Sunday by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communications of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, as renewed concerns over workers’ purchasing power continue to fuel discussions about the value of the current wage. He also backed organised labour’s demand for a substantial increase in workers’ pay.
Atiku Calls for Higher Minimum Wage Amid Rising Costs
Atiku argued that the increase in Nigeria’s statutory minimum wage from ₦30,000 to ₦70,000 has not translated into a corresponding improvement in workers’ purchasing power because the prices of essential goods and services have continued to rise.
One of the main examples he used was the cost of petrol, which has become a major part of household and business expenses because higher fuel prices also affect transportation and the cost of moving food and other goods across the country.
According to Atiku, petrol selling at about ₦1,400 per litre means a worker earning the current ₦70,000 minimum wage could purchase only about 50 litres if the entire monthly salary were spent on fuel. He compared this with April 2023, when the national average petrol price stood at about ₦254.06 per litre and the then ₦30,000 minimum wage could purchase roughly 118 litres.
The comparison was used by the former vice president to argue that a higher nominal wage does not necessarily mean workers have gained purchasing power when prices rise significantly at the same time.
Atiku also criticised the removal of the petrol subsidy, arguing that the policy contributed to higher costs for Nigerian households without providing enough protection for workers facing the resulting increase in transportation, food and other expenses.
He said the pressure does not stop at filling stations because the cost of petrol affects several parts of the economy, including the movement of agricultural produce, commercial transportation, manufacturing and the delivery of goods and services.
The ADC presidential candidate therefore urged the Federal Government to consider a substantial increase in the minimum wage that would reflect the cost of food, transportation, rent, electricity and other basic needs.
His comments come amid renewed calls from organised labour for a review of the ₦70,000 wage. The Nigeria Labour Congress has also raised concerns about the ability of the current wage to meet workers’ needs as the cost of living changes.
Atiku Wants Wage Review as 2027 Election Approaches
Atiku’s demand is also connected to his campaign position ahead of the 2027 presidential election, as he said that an administration led by him would begin work on increasing the minimum wage from its first day in office if he is elected.
He argued that workers should receive wages that reflect the economic realities they face and maintained that improving earnings should be accompanied by measures aimed at reducing the cost of essential goods and services.
Atiku also compared Nigeria’s minimum wage with wage levels in several other African countries. Using exchange rates from July 24, 2026, he cited figures showing that the monthly minimum wages in Libya, Algeria, Equatorial Guinea and Gabon were higher when converted into naira. He also said the minimum wage in neighbouring Benin Republic was higher than Nigeria’s using the exchange rates cited in his statement.
However, minimum wage comparisons between countries can be affected by differences in exchange rates, taxation, employment structures, wage regulations and the cost of living, meaning that a direct naira-to-naira comparison does not by itself provide a complete picture of workers’ living standards.
For now, Nigeria’s statutory national minimum wage remains ₦70,000, and no new wage amount has been announced as a result of Atiku’s latest demand. His statement represents his political position and call for a review rather than a change to the existing wage law.
The renewed debate places workers’ purchasing power at the centre of discussions about Nigeria’s economy, particularly as households continue to manage the combined effects of fuel prices, transportation costs, food expenses, housing and other essential bills.
For Nigerian workers currently earning the statutory minimum, the discussion is therefore not only about the amount written on a payslip but also about how much that income can purchase after meeting the basic expenses of everyday life.
