Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has expressed dissatisfaction with the recently approved ₦70,000 minimum wage, arguing that it falls short of meeting workers’ basic needs such as transportation, food, and housing.
In his newly released book, “Nigeria: Past and Future,” Obasanjo claimed that labour leaders have failed workers by prioritizing their personal interests over collective welfare.
“The current minimum wage is inadequate—even transportation costs alone surpass it for some workers, not to mention food, rent, and family responsibilities,” he wrote.
Labour Leaders Accused of Compromising
Obasanjo further alleged that many union leaders are more focused on political ambitions rather than advocating for workers’ rights.
“Unlike the founding fathers of labour movements, today’s leaders are ineffective. Instead of negotiating sincerely, they engage in grandstanding.
When called for discussions, they are given large sums of money—and they remain silent,” he added.
The former president believes this pattern of compromise has persisted since 2015 and is only getting worse.
His remarks have sparked fresh debates about the effectiveness of labour unions and whether the minimum wage truly reflects the realities of the Nigerian economy.
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