Atiku Abubakar Advocates for Increased Minimum Wage in Nigeria

Atiku Abubakar, the former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has expressed support for organized labor's demand for a significant increase in the minimum wage, asserting that Nigerian workers require a living wage to manage the escalating cost of living. In a statement released by Phrank Shaibu, the Director of Strategic Communications for the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Atiku accused President Bola Tinubu's administration of creating a severe economic squeeze, where nominal wage increases do not translate to improved purchasing power.

He criticized the removal of the petrol subsidy, which he claims has exacerbated living costs without adequate support for families. Atiku illustrated the decline in purchasing power by comparing petrol prices and emphasized that the current minimum wage of ₦70,000 is insufficient compared to wages in other oil-producing nations.

He called on President Tinubu to agree to a substantial wage increase to support Nigerian workers facing rising prices.