Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has said the N70,000 national minimum wage is no longer enough for Nigerian workers to cope with 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 and made an upward review of wages necessary.
The minister urged the Federal Government to meet organised labour halfway in the ongoing wage discussions, noting that unions were demanding as much as N500,000.
He recalled the negotiations that led to the increase in the national minimum wage from N30,000 to N70,000 in 2024, but said the current wage was still insufficient to cushion workers against the economic pressures they face.
Keyamo also criticised the treatment of workers by some government agencies, particularly instances where employees are denied 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.
He stressed that workers’ welfare should be prioritised, noting that human resources remain central to productivity, effective public service and national development.
Also speaking at the summit, NLC President Joe Ajaero 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.
