Atiku urges substantial minimum-wage increase as cost pressures mount

African Democratic Congress presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar has supported organised labour’s call for a substantial increase in Nigeria’s minimum wage, arguing that the current ₦70,000 monthly rate has lost purchasing power. In a statement issued by Phrank Shaibu, director of strategic communications for the party’s presidential campaign council, Abubakar accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of overseeing a severe squeeze on workers’ incomes. Abubakar said the removal of the petrol subsidy had pushed up fuel prices before adequate protection was provided for working families.

He argued that the effects had spread to transport, food, rent and household expenses. He compared the previous ₦30,000 wage with the current rate using petrol prices. At the national average petrol price of ₦254.06 per litre in April 2023, he said ₦30,000 could buy roughly 118 litres.

At ₦1,400 per litre, the current ₦70,000 wage buys about 50 litres. President Tinubu signed legislation in 2024 raising the National Minimum Wage from ₦30,000 to ₦70,000 after discussions involving government, labour unions and the private sector. Abubakar said the increase had not restored workers’ purchasing power.

He also said Nigeria’s wage floor compared poorly with those of several oil-producing and African countries. Using exchange rates from July 24, 2026, the statement placed the equivalent monthly minimum wages in Libya, Algeria, Equatorial Guinea and Gabon above Nigeria’s, while also saying Benin Republic’s was higher when converted. Abubakar challenged Tinubu to agree immediately to an increase reflecting the cost of essentials.

He said workers deserved a clear answer rather than further meetings and pledged to begin raising the wage floor from his first day in office if elected. He also proposed a capped and independently audited production subsidy for petroleum products refined in Nigeria and sold domestically. He said higher wages would need to be accompanied by lower living costs and promised policies to support Nigerian production and targeted assistance from May 2027.