Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has condemned the newly approved ₦70,000 minimum wage, arguing that it is insufficient to meet workers' basic needs such as transportation, food, and housing.
In his newly released book, Nigeria: Past and Future, Obasanjo criticized labour leaders for prioritizing personal gains over workers' welfare. He accused some of using their positions as a stepping stone for political ambitions, leading to weak and compromised representation.
He also alleged that government officials openly admitted to bribing labour leaders to silence agitation, stating that such actions further oppress and demoralize workers.
Obasanjo proposed a five-year ban on labour leaders transitioning into politics after leaving office to prevent conflicts of interest.
President Bola Tinubu signed the ₦70,000 minimum wage into law on July 29, 2024, following negotiations that reduced labour’s initial demand of ₦250,000 per month. Previously, the minimum wage stood at ₦33,000, enacted by former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019.
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