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

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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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Jetour Nigeria displays hi-tech, luxury, art at Abuja Experience

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Jetour Nigeria displays hi-tech, luxury, art at Abuja Experience

Jetour Nigeria displays hi-tech, luxury, art at Abuja Experience

Jetour Nigeria has turned its Abuja Experience into a colourful fusion of hi-tech automobiles, luxury and art, attracting automobile enthusiasts, prospective buyers and art lovers to an exhibition designed to showcase a new dimension of motoring and lifestyle.

The three-day event, which opened on Tuesday at the Maha Event Centre, Area 8, Garki, Abuja, has brought together an impressive collection of Jetour SUVs and new-generation vehicles, alongside art displays that added colour and creativity to the automobile showcase.

Rather than a conventional vehicle exhibition, the Abuja Experience offered visitors an opportunity to interact with Jetour’s technology-driven vehicles, examine their luxury features and immerse themselves in an artistic presentation that appealed to both young and older enthusiasts.

Among the vehicles on display are the Jetour X50, X70 Plus, X70 PHEV, X90 Plus, T2, T2 PHEV, Dashing, Rely R8, G700, as well as the newly introduced T1 and F700.

The event, which ends today, Thursday, September 24, is the latest stage in Jetour Nigeria’s strategy of taking its products closer to customers while strengthening its presence in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory and neighbouring states.

On the first day, discussions centred on Jetour’s product philosophy, technology, safety and the changing preferences of Nigerian motorists.

Speaking during the first panel session, Managing Director of New Era AutoVehicle Services, Kemi Koyejo, said Jetour’s growing product portfolio was designed to cater for the diverse needs of Nigerian motorists.

Koyejo described Jetour vehicles as a combination of luxury, safety and technology, stressing that there was “no one-size-fits-all product” because motorists have different needs and lifestyles.

She explained the philosophy behind the Jetour name—“Jet plus Tour”—saying the brand was intentional about making mobility more enjoyable.

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According to her, Jetour was “forward-looking”, with a product strategy covering petrol-powered vehicles, hybrids and plug-in hybrid technologies under its corporate tagline, “Drive Your Future.”

Executive Director, Elizade Nigeria Limited, Dr Ademola Philip-Adewunmi, identified after-sales support and spare-parts availability as critical to sustaining Jetour’s growth in Nigeria.

He disclosed that Jetour had sold about 1,000 units in Nigeria within three years, adding that motorists were increasingly researching and comparing vehicles before making purchasing decisions.

He said buyers now demanded a combination of aesthetics, technology, connectivity, performance and value for money.

Adewunmi also disclosed that Jetour vehicles come with a five-year or 150,000-kilometre warranty, while customers have access to trade-in opportunities.

On safety, Corps Commander Cherries Muta of the Federal Road Safety Corps said technologies deployed in Jetour vehicles, including sensors and driver-warning systems, could contribute to safer driving.

Art meets automobile

The second day introduced another dimension to the experience, as artworks were displayed alongside Jetour’s vehicles, creating a meeting point between automotive design, technology, luxury and contemporary art.

The art exhibition attracted an audience comprising young and older lovers of quality automobiles and art, with the producers explaining the concepts and intentions behind the works.

The presentation added a creative and cultural dimension to the automobile showcase, with visitors moving between the vehicles and artworks while engaging with the artists and exploring the ideas behind their creations.

The event also featured cultural performances and a second panel session focusing on mobility entrepreneurship and emerging opportunities across Nigeria.

Jetour Vice President, Yuan Anguo, thanked Nigerian customers for their confidence in the brand, assuring them that the company remained committed to developing its business in Nigeria and across Africa.

The Abuja Experience, according to the organisers, is part of Jetour Nigeria’s broader effort to deepen customer engagement, expand its market presence and present mobility not simply as transportation, but as an experience combining technology, comfort, lifestyle and creativity.

 

Jetour Nigeria displays hi-tech, luxury, art at Abuja Experience

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NLC Backs ₦500 Petrol Demand, Workers Propose ₦500,000 Salary

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NLC Backs ₦500 Petrol Demand, Workers Propose ₦500,000 Salary

NLC Backs ₦500 Petrol Demand, Workers Propose ₦500,000 Salary

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has backed demands by public-sector workers for the Federal Government to reduce the price of petrol to ₦500 per litre, while the workers have proposed a minimum monthly salary of ₦500,000 for Grade Level 01, Step 1 officers under a new public-service salary structure.

The demands were contained in a letter by the Trade Union Side of the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC) to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, amid renewed concerns over rising fuel prices and the worsening cost-of-living crisis.

The workers gave the Federal Government until September 30, 2026, to respond to their demands, which cover petrol prices, wage awards, salary reviews and negotiations for a new wage structure.

The JNPSNC called for an intervention capable of bringing the petrol pump price down to ₦500 per litre, arguing that the rising cost of fuel has significantly increased transportation expenses and contributed to higher prices of food and other essential goods and services.

The demand comes amid another increase in petrol prices in Nigeria, with pump prices rising in several parts of the country following higher crude oil prices in the international market.

The labour movement has argued that the impact of rising fuel costs extends beyond motorists, as increased transportation and energy expenses raise the cost of moving agricultural produce, manufacturing goods and other commodities.

The NLC has therefore called for measures to cushion workers and households from the effects of the latest price increases.

On wages, the JNPSNC proposed a new salary structure under which a Grade Level 01, Step 1 public servant would earn ₦500,000 monthly.

The figure is important because it is a proposal by the workers, not an approved national minimum wage.

The proposed ₦500,000 salary is also specifically linked to the public-service salary structure being sought by the JNPSNC ahead of January 2027. It should not be presented as though the Federal Government has agreed to increase Nigeria’s statutory national minimum wage to ₦500,000.

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Nigeria’s current statutory national minimum wage remains ₦70,000 per month, following the 2024 wage agreement and legislation.

The workers are seeking negotiations for a new wage structure while also asking for an immediate Wage Award for employees at the Federal, State and Local Government levels as a short-term response to current economic pressures.

The proposed wage award is separate from the longer-term salary review and any future agreement on the national minimum wage.

The JNPSNC wants the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC) to begin discussions with labour representatives and other stakeholders on the proposed wage award and salary adjustments.

The workers said rising inflation, transportation costs, food prices, housing expenses, healthcare costs and education fees had reduced the purchasing power of existing salaries.

They also called for salaries and allowances across the public service to be reviewed upward and for future salary adjustments to take inflation into account.

According to the workers, linking periodic salary reviews to inflation would help prevent employees’ earnings from losing substantial purchasing power between major wage negotiations.

The labour side also demanded subsidised transportation and affordable housing for public servants as part of measures to ease the pressure on workers.

On the petroleum sector, the workers backed calls for greater availability of crude oil in naira to local refineries, arguing that increased domestic refining and local crude supply could reduce exposure to international oil-market shocks.

The NLC has previously advocated measures to strengthen local refining and improve domestic energy security as part of efforts to reduce pressure on consumers.

The workers also rejected the idea of relying mainly on food palliatives to address the hardship, arguing that temporary relief does not adequately compensate for the loss of purchasing power caused by higher transportation and living costs.

They instead called for measures that would address the underlying drivers of the rising cost of living.

The latest demands come as the downstream petroleum market faces renewed price pressure despite increased domestic refining capacity.

Higher international crude prices have raised input costs for refiners, contributing to increases in the wholesale and retail prices of petrol.

The development has renewed debate over how much protection Nigeria’s expanding domestic refining capacity can provide against global oil-price movements.

For organised labour, however, the immediate concern is the effect of higher fuel prices on workers and households.

The JNPSNC expects the Federal Government to respond to its demands by September 30, while also looking ahead to negotiations for a new salary and wage framework from January 2027.

The council has indicated that it expects the President’s forthcoming Independence Day address to address some of the concerns raised by workers.

The proposed ₦500,000 salary therefore remains a labour demand awaiting negotiation and possible government consideration. It is not the current national minimum wage and does not mean that all Nigerian workers are automatically entitled to ₦500,000 monthly.

Similarly, the proposed ₦500 petrol price is a demand for government intervention and does not represent the current regulated or prevailing pump price across Nigeria.

The labour demands reflect growing pressure from organised workers for government action as households and businesses contend with higher fuel prices, transportation costs and living expenses.

NLC Backs ₦500 Petrol Demand, Workers Propose ₦500,000 Salary

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MURIC Warns FG: Any Move Against Atiku Now Lacks Tact

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MURIC Warns FG: Any Move Against Atiku Now Lacks Tact
MURIC’s Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola

MURIC Warns FG: Any Move Against Atiku Now Lacks Tact

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has warned the Federal Government against any move to arrest, interrogate or otherwise take action against former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar over a fresh petition before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, saying such a step at this time could send the wrong signal to Nigerians.

The warning came as the controversy over a renewed call for the EFCC to investigate allegations dating back to Atiku’s tenure as Vice-President intensified, with opposition figures and the petitioner trading sharply different arguments over the matter.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, MURIC Founder and Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, said the government should exercise caution, particularly with the 2027 general elections approaching.

According to MURIC, the renewed allegations have assumed greater sensitivity because Atiku is now the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress and a leading opposition figure.

“We warn that such an attempt at this point in time will send the wrong signal to Nigerians,” the group said, adding that with the 2027 elections “at the doorsteps,” the Federal Government should carefully consider the consequences of any action against the former Vice-President.

MURIC described any such move as lacking tact and “short” of emotional intelligence, while urging the government to avoid conduct that could create the impression that state institutions were being used against political opponents.

The organisation also warned against what it described as a damaging “body language” capable of portraying Nigeria as a “banana republic.”

MURIC said that although the country had already lost some ethical ground, its democratic values and norms remained important safeguards that should not be compromised.

“Our corporate image in the global community is sinking fast,” the group added.

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The statement followed renewed controversy over a petition by former House of Representatives member, Ehiozuwa Agbonayinma, asking the EFCC to revisit allegations concerning Atiku’s activities while he was Vice-President.

Reports indicate that the petition relates to allegations investigated by the EFCC between 2005 and 2006. Agbonayinma reportedly gave the anti-graft agency a 14-day ultimatum to act and threatened legal action if the commission failed to respond.

Former Senator Dino Melaye has strongly opposed the renewed petition, describing it as an attempt to “resurrect the dead.” Melaye argued that the matter had previously been dealt with and questioned the basis for bringing it back almost two decades later.

The dispute, however, has escalated beyond the original petition, with Agbonayinma hitting back at Melaye and challenging him to produce documentary evidence for his claim that the allegations had been investigated and dismissed.

In a statement reported on September 20, Agbonayinma insisted that he was asking the EFCC to perform its statutory responsibility and argued that the substance of the allegations should be addressed rather than his personality or political affiliation.

“You cannot defend Atiku Abubakar from an EFCC petition by attacking me,” Agbonayinma was quoted as saying, while urging the anti-graft agency to determine whether the allegations warranted further investigation.

The renewed controversy has also brought attention to the distinction between a petition seeking investigation and a finding of criminal guilt. The existence of a petition does not, by itself, establish that the person named in it committed an offence.

There is also a historical legal dimension to the allegations. Reports on the previous proceedings state that a Lagos State High Court set aside an EFCC administrative indictment against Atiku in December 2006, while no criminal conviction against him resulted from the allegations.

Atiku has continued to deny wrongdoing and has challenged anyone with credible evidence against him to present it through the appropriate legal channels.

Meanwhile, there was no confirmed announcement from the EFCC, as of the latest reports reviewed, that it had arrested Atiku or formally invited him over the fresh petition. A separate and more recent EFCC investigation reported on September 20 concerns individuals connected to allegations surrounding the Mambilla Power Project, which is distinct from the 2005–2006 allegations at the centre of the present political dispute.

The MURIC intervention has therefore added a fresh dimension to an increasingly heated political controversy, with the organisation urging the Federal Government to exercise restraint and protect public confidence in Nigeria’s democratic institutions.

With the 2027 elections approaching, the dispute over the renewed EFCC petition is expected to remain a significant political issue, particularly if the anti-graft agency decides to take further steps.

For MURIC, however, the timing of any action is crucial. The organisation wants the Federal Government to ensure that whatever steps are taken by law-enforcement agencies are grounded in due process and do not create the perception of political persecution.

The group’s central warning is that Nigeria must guard its democratic reputation and avoid actions that could further erode public confidence in its institutions at a particularly sensitive period in the nation’s political calendar.

MURIC Warns FG: Any Move Against Atiku Now Lacks Tact

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