Isaac Fayose has called for a review of Nigeria’s minimum wage, arguing that ₦70,000 is no longer sufficient amid rising economic pressures
Nigerian businessman and social commentator Isaac Fayose has called on the federal government to urgently review the national minimum wage, urging an increase from ₦70,000 to ₦200,000 amid growing concerns over the rising cost of living.
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Fayose made the appeal in a statement shared on social media, where he argued that many workers are struggling to survive under the current wage structure.
According to him, the economic realities facing households make the existing minimum wage insufficient to meet basic needs, adding that urgent intervention is necessary to ease financial pressure on citizens.
“President Tinubu, have mercy on our people and increase minimum wage to ₦200,000 now. I don’t think anyone can survive with ₦70,000 current minimum wage. ₦70,000 is nothing,” he said.
He further argued that improving workers’ welfare could also contribute to reducing crime and social tension across the country.
“If we don’t solve the minimum wage problem, we can’t solve crime,” Fayose added.
His comments have triggered mixed reactions online, with some users supporting the call for a wage increase in line with inflation, while others warned that such a move could worsen inflation and further weaken the purchasing power of the naira.
Some critics also argued that structural economic reforms should take priority over salary adjustments, while supporters maintained that the current wage level is no longer realistic for most Nigerian households.
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The debate continues as Nigeria grapples with inflationary pressures, rising living costs, and ongoing discussions around wage adjustments and economic stability.
