Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, says the N70,000 national minimum wage is no longer enough for Nigerian workers due to the rising cost of living.
Keyamo made the remark at the 2026 National Pre-Retirement Summit organised by XEM Consultants Limited, where he said rising living costs had eroded workers’ purchasing power.
He urged the Federal Government to meet organised labour halfway in ongoing wage discussions, noting that unions were demanding as much as N500,000.
Keyamo recalled that the national minimum wage was increased from N30,000 to N70,000 in 2024 but said the current wage remained insufficient to cushion workers against economic pressures.
He also criticised the treatment of workers by some government agencies, particularly the denial of basic allowances while senior officials allegedly approve large sums for international trips.
“I will have none of it. Without these workers, we will not have a country,” he said.
NLC President Joe Ajaero also called for government intervention to cushion workers and other Nigerians from rising fuel, transportation and food costs.
Ajaero said wage negotiations should focus on workers’ actual purchasing power rather than nominal salary figures.
