Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, has said Nigeria’s ₦70,000 national minimum wage is no longer sufficient to withstand the economic pressures facing workers.
Keyamo made the statement on Thursday, September 24, 2026, while speaking at the 2026 National Pre-Retirement Summit organised by XEM Consultants Limited in Abuja.
The minister said the rising cost of living had significantly reduced workers’ purchasing power, making an upward review of wages necessary.
Keyamo, who previously served as Minister of State for Labour and Employment, recalled the negotiations that led to the increase in the national minimum wage from ₦30,000 to ₦70,000 in 2024.
He urged the Federal Government to reach a compromise with organised labour in ongoing discussions on workers’ wages, noting that labour unions are demanding as much as ₦500,000.
According to him, the current minimum wage remains inadequate to absorb the economic shocks affecting Nigerian workers.
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.
He stressed that workers’ welfare should be treated as a priority, describing the human factor as central to productivity and national development.
Meanwhile, Nigeria Labour Congress President, Joe Ajaero, also called on the Federal Government to use increased oil revenues to cushion workers and other Nigerians against rising fuel, transportation and food costs.
Ajaero said wage negotiations should focus on workers’ real purchasing power rather than nominal figures, while also advocating for wages and pensions to be linked to inflation or the cost of living.
The NLC president further said discussions on the next minimum wage review should begin early, as the current three-year wage cycle is expected to come up for review around March or April 2027.
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