Workers Demand N300,000 Minimum Wage Amid Rising Costs

The Federal Workers Forum (FWF) has formally requested an increase in Nigeria's federal minimum wage from N70,000 to N300,000, emphasizing that the current wage is insufficient for civil servants due to the escalating cost of living. This demand was articulated in a letter dated September 2, 2026, directed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and various high-ranking officials, including the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

The FWF proposed a new salary structure, suggesting that the highest-paid Level 17 officer should earn N1.5 million monthly, while Level 1 Step 1 workers would receive N300,000. They argued that the Federal Government has not fully implemented the 2024 minimum wage agreement, with federal workers reportedly not receiving the complete consequential adjustment and allowances since the new minimum wage was established in July 2024.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) had previously called for a minimum wage increase to N500,000 in August 2026, highlighting the significant rise in living costs over the past two years.