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Rising Cost of Living: FG Signals Fresh Review of N70,000 Minimum Wage

Published

2 months ago

June 26, 2026

State Police Reform: FG Invites Nigerians to Submit Policy Proposals as Draft Bill Nears September Deadline

Rising Cost of Living: FG Signals Fresh Review of N70,000 Minimum Wage

The Federal Government has announced plans to reassess Nigeria’s N70,000 national minimum wage, acknowledging that the benchmark set in July 2024 no longer adequately reflects the country’s current economic realities. The disclosure came from the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, during the Good Governance Summit 2026 in Abuja, signaling a significant shift in the administration’s approach to workers’ compensation as inflation and living costs continue to surge.

The government’s admission marks a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s labour landscape, with officials now openly conceding that the wage floor established less than two years ago has been eroded by persistent inflationary pressures. Speaking at the summit organised by Working People United (WoPU) on Thursday, Gbajabiamila emphasised that the Tinubu administration remains committed to ensuring workers’ wages keep pace with economic conditions. He recalled that President Bola Tinubu approved the N70,000 minimum wage in July 2024, more than doubling the previous N30,000 benchmark that workers had endured for years, and described that approval as a historic milestone in the nation’s labour history.

“The N70,000 wage, which was a milestone in 2024, must be honestly reassessed against today’s realities,” Gbajabiamila declared, noting that the administration had already shortened the wage review cycle from five years to three years to allow salaries to be adjusted more frequently in response to changing economic circumstances. He further explained that the government had in January 2025 revised the review cycle to two years, effectively making 2026 the next formal review period, demonstrating a proactive approach to wage adjustment that departs from the rigid five-year cycles of previous administrations.

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The Chief of Staff stressed that the government would approach the upcoming negotiations “not as an adversary of labour, but as a partner,” urging organised labour to continue engaging through dialogue rather than confrontation. He maintained that cooperation would produce better outcomes for both workers and the economy than industrial action, adding that the administration has already implemented other worker-centric interventions since January 2026, including the reintroduction of gratuities for retiring federal civil servants and lifting workers earning up to N800,000 annually entirely out of the personal income tax net.

Organised labour has already begun positioning for the upcoming talks, with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) announcing plans to formally engage the Federal Government for a fresh round of negotiations. The unions insist that workers deserve a “genuine living wage” that reflects the country’s current harsh economic realities, citing soaring inflation, rising food prices, transportation costs, expensive housing, and increasing healthcare expenses as factors that have significantly eroded workers’ purchasing power since the N70,000 benchmark was established.

In a joint address at the 114th International Labour Conference in Geneva, labour leaders rejected any proposal to tax the minimum wage or impose additional fiscal burdens on low-income earners. They warned that taxing the minimum wage would worsen poverty and deepen economic hardship at a time when many citizens are struggling to meet basic needs, insisting that the government must instead focus on creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive and generate sustainable employment opportunities.

“We demand nothing less than a genuine living wage that reflects today’s harsh economic realities. We also demand immediate relief measures by governments at all levels until a new minimum wage is signed into law,” the unions stated in their communiqué. The labour leaders confirmed they would formally open discussions with the federal government ahead of the July 2026 wage renegotiation deadline to avoid the delays that have often hindered previous minimum wage reviews, signalling a more aggressive and organised approach to the upcoming negotiations.

The current wage regime is set to expire in 2027, but the government had earlier in January 2025 announced that the minimum wage would be reviewed every two years, effectively making 2026 the next review period. This accelerated timeline reflects the administration’s recognition that economic conditions can shift dramatically within short periods, necessitating more frequent adjustments to protect workers from the eroding effects of inflation.

Also speaking at the summit, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Dingyadi, underscored the importance of measuring governance effectiveness by how policies improve citizens’ lives. According to Dingyadi, governance goes beyond policy announcements and should result in decent jobs, higher productivity, stronger social protection, and expanded economic opportunities for Nigerians, and he emphasised that the true test of any administration lies in its ability to translate policy documents into tangible improvements in the daily lives of working people.

“Governance is not merely about policies written in documents or programmes announced from government offices; the true measure of governance is the extent to which policies translate into improved livelihoods, decent work, increased productivity, social protection, economic opportunities, and dignity for the working people,” Dingyadi stated. His remarks underscored the administration’s broader vision of inclusive growth where workers are not merely beneficiaries but active participants in the nation’s economic transformation.

The debate over wage review comes amid growing concerns about Nigeria’s economic trajectory, with stakeholders urging a comprehensive approach to addressing workers’ welfare. Some experts have called for an automatic wage adjustment framework that accommodates inflation, arguing that frequent negotiations are unsustainable and that the labour market should adjust in line with other economic markets, thereby reducing the political tensions that often accompany wage review cycles.

However, the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA) has cautioned against arbitrary wage increases, warning that politically driven adjustments could destabilise businesses and worsen unemployment. NECA Director General, Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, insisted that minimum wage negotiations must be grounded in “economic realism” rather than political pronouncements, arguing that the country’s fragile macroeconomic environment makes arbitrary wage fixing dangerous, and urging both government and labour to consider productivity and business sustainability alongside workers’ welfare.

The National Coordinator of WoPU, Williams Akporeha, described Nigerian workers as the foundation of the country’s economy, stressing that sustainable national development depends on their welfare and productivity. “There’s no economy without the working people, there’s no productivity without the working people, and there’s no national development,” he declared, framing the welfare of workers as inseparable from the broader goals of economic growth and national prosperity.

Akporeha also warned that WoPU would serve as a major sensitisation force heading into the 2027 general elections, describing the movement as “a grassroots volcanic movement” that bridges the gap between policies made in Abuja and the lived realities of Nigerians across the country. He indicated that the organisation would educate and mobilise workers around issues of governance and accountability, ensuring that political candidates are held to account for their promises to the working class.

The Federal Workers Forum has also joined the chorus, announcing plans for a nationwide protest to demand an immediate review of workers’ wages and improved welfare. The forum described the current minimum wage as “inadequate” in view of prevailing economic realities and called for urgent review to reflect the rising cost of living, warning that failure to address workers’ concerns could lead to widespread industrial unrest.

As the July 2026 review window approaches, Nigerian workers and their unions are gearing up for what promises to be intense negotiations over a new wage structure that could reshape the country’s labour landscape for years to come. With both government and labour signalling openness to dialogue, the stage is set for a critical test of Nigeria’s social partnership framework and its capacity to deliver meaningful improvements in the lives of millions of working Nigerians.

Rising Cost of Living: FG Signals Fresh Review of N70,000 Minimum Wage

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NRS Boss Blasts $279 Million Frontier Fund Fraud Claims as Sponsored Fake News

Published

9 hours ago

August 10, 2026

Trends Admin

Executive Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) , Zacch Adedeji

NRS Boss Blasts $279 Million Frontier Fund Fraud Claims as Sponsored Fake News

Zacch Adedeji calls reports “cheap journalism” lacking ethics, clarifies legal framework of the Frontier Exploration Fund under PIA 2021

The Executive Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) , Zacch Adedeji, has firmly dismissed online reports alleging that $279 million was illegally transferred from the Frontier Exploration Fund to unnamed accounts, describing the claims as sponsored fake news orchestrated by individuals bent on tarnishing his reputation and that of the service. In a telephone interview, Adedeji categorically denied any wrongdoing, stating that the report was not only false but also exhibited hallmarks of a coordinated smear campaign. He declared, “That report is not true in any way. It is pure fake news sponsored by some jobless persons whose pastime is to throw mud at high performers in the President Tinubu government. I consider it to be a brand of cheap journalism lacking in ethics and professionalism but heavy with malicious intentions.” Adedeji pointed to stylistic consistencies across multiple online platforms as evidence of a single author behind the allegations, suggesting the story was deliberately planted to mislead the public. “To prove to you that it was sponsored, take a critical look at the storyline and language. They are the same language and style in all the reports, meaning that one person wrote it and distributed it across gullible online platforms,” he added.

To contextualize the controversy, Adedeji explained that the alleged fraud narrative stems from a fundamental misunderstanding of what the Frontier Exploration Fund entails and how it is disbursed. The Frontier Exploration Fund was legally established under Section 9 of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021, a landmark legislation that reformed Nigeria’s oil and gas sector. The Fund is specifically designed to finance petroleum exploration activities in frontier basins—areas where commercially viable hydrocarbon reserves are yet to be fully established. These frontier basins include the Bida Basin, Benue Trough, Anambra Basin, Chad Basin, Sokoto Basin, and Dahomey Basin. The Fund is meant to cover critical exploration expenses such as geological mapping, seismic surveys, exploratory drilling, appraisal wells, basin studies, and other exploration activities, all of which are essential for expanding Nigeria’s proven hydrocarbon reserves and securing the country’s energy future.

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Under the PIA 2021, the Frontier Exploration Fund is financed through a statutory allocation of 30% of NNPC Limited’s profit oil and profit gas derived from production sharing contracts (PSCs). These funds are channeled into a dedicated escrow account and must be strictly applied to frontier exploration and development, subject to appropriation by the National Assembly. This legal structure ensures transparency and accountability, with multiple oversight layers built into the disbursement process. However, the Fund has been at the center of several policy debates in recent months, adding complexity to the current allegations.

One major development was the signing of Executive Order No. 9 in February 2026 by President Bola Tinubu, which suspended the statutory 30% allocation from NNPC’s profit oil and gas to the Frontier Exploration Fund, rerouting the funds directly to the Federation Account. This move drew sharp criticism from energy analysts, including Professor Emeritus Wunmi Iledare, who warned that the order prioritizes “immediate distributable revenue over long-term reserves sustainability.” The order also suspended NNPC’s 30% management fee, a decision critics argue undermines the company’s commercial autonomy as established under the PIA 2021. These policy shifts have fueled public scrutiny and created an environment where misinformation about the Fund can easily gain traction.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) , which administers the Frontier Exploration Fund, previously denied withholding the funds, confirming that over $185 million and N14.9 billion** had already been released to **NNPC Limited** as of late 2025. These releases included a **$140 million tranche approved on November 27, 2025. However, concerns about disbursement delays have persisted. The Minister of Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, publicly directed NUPRC and NNPCL to deploy the accrued funds to support seismic and appraisal work in frontier basins, lamenting that the Fund had not been meaningfully utilized since his assumption of office. Industry analysts have warned that bureaucratic inertia in releasing the funds is stalling essential exploration activities and weakening investor confidence, making the Fund a recurring flashpoint in Nigeria’s energy sector discourse.

Adding another layer to the controversy, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has called on anti-graft agencies—the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) , the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) , and the National Assembly—to investigate the alleged $279 million transfer. Jamilu Hussaini Ebbo, NANS’ Forum Chairman, linked the controversy to the hardships faced by Nigerian students, stating that “the unapproved movement of public funds is a direct attack on the future of Nigerian youth.” NANS has urged a forensic audit of the Frontier Exploration Fund account to ensure transparency and accountability, a move that has gained traction among civil society groups concerned about the prudent management of public resources.

In his final rebuttal, Adedeji dismissed the allegations as baseless, reiterating that the Nigeria Revenue Service has no role in the administration or disbursement of the Frontier Exploration Fund, as the Fund falls under the purview of NUPRC and NNPC Limited. He called on media practitioners to uphold ethical standards and verify facts before publishing, warning that sponsored fake news undermines public trust and destabilizes governance. His firm stance underscores the growing challenge of misinformation in Nigeria’s digital media landscape and the need for greater journalistic responsibility.

As the story continues to develop, key takeaways remain clear: no evidence supports the alleged $279 million illegal transfer from the **Frontier Exploration Fund**; the Fund is legally established under **Section 9 of the PIA 2021** and is strictly regulated; **NRS Chairman Zacch Adedeji** has no oversight over the Fund, making the allegations against him factually incorrect; **NUPRC** has confirmed that over **$185 million** has already been disbursed to NNPC Limited for frontier exploration; Executive Order No. 9 has temporarily suspended allocations to the Fund, redirecting revenue to the Federation Account; and NANS continues to push for a forensic audit to ensure public funds are properly accounted for. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available.

NRS Boss Blasts $279 Million Frontier Fund Fraud Claims as Sponsored Fake News

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Nigeria Immigration Deploys Passport Intervention Team to UK to Clear Application Backlog

Published

12 hours ago

August 10, 2026

Trends Admin

Nigeria Immigration Deploys Passport Intervention Team to UK to Clear Application Backlog

The Nigeria Immigration Service has sent a dedicated team to the United Kingdom to process pending, new, and renewal passport applications for Nigerians in the diaspora, with operations beginning August 10, 2026.

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has deployed a dedicated Passport Intervention Team to the United Kingdom to ease and streamline passport applications for Nigerians living in the diaspora. The initiative, directed by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, is part of ongoing efforts to address the challenges Nigerians abroad face in obtaining or renewing their travel documents. The intervention team, comprising personnel from the NIS headquarters in Abuja, arrived in the United Kingdom on Monday, August 10, 2026. The team will work in collaboration with the Nigerian High Commission to facilitate the processing and issuance of pending, new, and renewal passport applications. This deployment follows recent complaints from Nigerians in the UK about delays in passport processing and poor communication at the High Commission, concerns the NIS had earlier addressed by highlighting the availability of its digital platforms.

As part of the exercise, the intervention team will visit designated cities across the United Kingdom to conduct passport enrolment and processing. This approach is designed to bring services closer to eligible applicants in different parts of the country, reducing the burden of travelling long distances to a central location. The intervention is open to three categories of applicants: applicants with pending passport applications who are waiting for processing; new applicants applying for a Nigerian passport for the first time; and holders of passports with less than one year remaining before expiry who wish to apply for renewal. During enrolment, applicants are required to present their completed application forms and proof of payment.

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The NIS has urged Nigerians in the UK not to proceed to any location until the detailed schedule, including designated cities, dates, venues, and enrolment times, has been officially communicated. “Applicants are therefore advised not to proceed to any location until the relevant schedule has been officially communicated and to monitor the official communication channels of the Nigerian High Commission in the United Kingdom for further details,” the NIS stated. The NIS also advised applicants to rely only on information released through authorised government platforms.

The NIS has clarified that all its digital passport application channels, including the Contactless Passport Application System, will remain fully operational throughout the intervention. The Contactless Passport Application System, which was launched in the UK in February 2025, allows eligible Nigerians to renew their passports without visiting a centre for biometric enrolment through the NIS Mobile application. The home delivery service for passports will also continue to be available to applicants. This digital system has been particularly valuable following the introduction of the NIS Mobile app, which addressed the challenge of securing appointments for biometric enrolment at the High Commission. The app has undergone several upgrades based on user feedback, and the NIS has confirmed that previous technical glitches have been resolved.

For enquiries or complaints regarding the UK intervention, applicants can contact the NIS through the following channels: email at passport.london@immigration.gov.ng or the WhatsApp-only line at +234 916 087 8000. The NIS reaffirmed its commitment to providing efficient, transparent and responsive passport services to Nigerians both at home and abroad.

Nigeria Immigration Deploys Passport Intervention Team to UK to Clear Application Backlog

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Italy-Based Businessman Excretes 98 Wraps of Cocaine at Enugu Airport

Published

1 day ago

August 9, 2026

Trends Admin

Italy-Based Businessman Excretes 98 Wraps of Cocaine at Enugu Airport

In a major breakthrough, operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a 30-year-old Italy-based businessman at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport (AIIA), Enugu, after he excreted 98 wraps of cocaine weighing 1.510 kilograms while attempting to board a flight to Europe. The suspect, Joseph Cyril, was nabbed on August 2, 2026, at the departure hall of the Enugu airport during the outward clearance of passengers on Ethiopian Airlines flight ET930, which was en route to Italy via Addis Ababa and France. According to a statement by NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Mr. Femi Babafemi, Cyril was immediately placed under excretion observation, during which he expelled all 98 pellets of the banned substance. The total weight of the recovered cocaine was put at 1.510 kilograms. Investigations revealed that Cyril had arrived in Nigeria from Italy on July 13, 2026, and ingested the drug at a hotel in Awka, Anambra State, before proceeding to Enugu to catch his return flight to Europe on August 2.

In his confessional statement, the suspect disclosed that he had been running a legitimate business in Italy for several years before agreeing to traffic the cocaine consignment. He claimed he accepted the task in exchange for €3,500 (about ₦5.8 million) to help him raise funds to relocate to Germany, where his immediate family is based. The NDLEA noted that the arrest is part of the agency’s intensified efforts to curb drug trafficking through Nigerian airports and land borders.

Beyond the Enugu operation, the NDLEA recorded several other significant seizures across the country within the same period, demonstrating the widespread nature of the agency’s crackdown. In Lagos, operatives thwarted attempts by trafficking syndicates to export 1.2 kilograms of cocaine concealed inside 25 pieces of phone chargers destined for Saudi Arabia through a courier company. In a similar operation, officers intercepted 500 grams of cocaine hidden in the false bottom of a backpack that was being shipped to Italy via another logistics firm on August 3, 2026. Also in Lagos, a consignment containing 2.3 kilograms of Loud — a potent synthetic strain of cannabis — originating from the United States, was seized at a shipping company on August 4, 2026.

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At the Tincan Port complex, a joint examination involving NDLEA officers, Customs officials, and other security agencies uncovered 73 cartons containing 442 packets of cookies and gummies infused with cannabis. The total weight of the seized edibles was 309.4 kilograms, and a suspect, Larry Nnaji, has been arrested in connection with the shipment. Following this discovery, the NDLEA issued a public health alert, warning parents and guardians to monitor what children consume, as traffickers increasingly disguise illicit substances as ordinary snacks.

In Ondo State, on August 4, NDLEA patrol teams along the Akure-Ilesha expressway intercepted a truck heading to northern Nigeria with 1,633 kilograms of skunk (a strong strain of cannabis) cleverly concealed in bags of rice chaff. Two suspects — Buba Jamilu and Sanusi Ibrahim — were arrested in connection with that seizure. Additionally, a raid at Ita Ogbolu forest on August 3 led to the recovery of 147 kilograms of skunk, further crippling trafficking networks in the region.

In Oyo State, acting on credible intelligence, operatives raided a drug warehouse in Elebure village, Orire Local Government Area, on August 3, recovering 731.03 kilograms of cannabis. One suspect, Felicia Thompson, was arrested, while her accomplice, Thompson Vincent Nwaka, remains at large as authorities continue their manhunt. Meanwhile, in Edo State on August 5, NDLEA operatives supported by soldiers raided a storage facility at Ewe Luleha in Owan West Local Government Area, recovering 65 jumbo bags of skunk weighing a total of 604.5 kilograms.

In Abia State, operatives arrested Chibuike Charles, 31, a drug joint operator, during a raid at his base in Osisioma Local Government Area on August 6, seizing about 7 kilograms of skunk from his premises. In Lagos, a notorious and wanted drug dealer, Adome Claude Sikuru, was arrested on August 8 at the Fibre Market drug jungle in Badagry after a three-month manhunt. Officers recovered 88.5 kilograms of skunk from him, marking a significant victory in the agency’s efforts to dismantle drug hideouts in the city.

Commending the officers and men of the DOGI, AIIA, Ondo, Oyo, Edo, Abia, Seme, and Tincan Commands, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig-Gen. Mohamed Marwa (rtd) , praised their professionalism and dedication. He urged all personnel to sustain the balanced approach to drug control, combining enforcement, public education, and rehabilitation, while vowing to intensify the fight against illicit drug trafficking across Nigeria.