The Struggle For A Livable Minimum Wage In Nigeria, By Yasir Shehu Adam

Nigeria has experienced a nationwide strike by Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and TUC which stared on Monday 3rd June 2024 and ended 4th June, 2024. Now the strike was suspended for five days as they continue negotiations with the Government. The NLC is demanding an increase in the minimum wage to four hundred thousand Naira (400,000), but the federal government has only offered sixty thousand Naira (60,000). This strike highlights the severe financial difficulties faced by civil servants and many other Nigerians.

The government has made life harder for citizens by removing fuel subsidies. This has caused the prices of essential goods and services to rise sharply, making it difficult for ordinary people to afford basic needs. Despite these rising costs, the government has not increased the minimum wage enough to help workers cope with the higher cost of living.

However, before president Bola Tinubu remove the the fuel subsidy the price of one mud of rice was three hundred Naira (300), now one mud of rice was one thousand six hundred Naira (1,600), yet the minimum wage has not increased accordingly. This has put civil servants and other citizens in a tough financial situation, making it nearly impossible for them to meet basic needs. Many cannot afford three meals a day, and some struggle to afford even one.

Therefore, in economic statistic when expenses are higher than income, financial trouble is inevitable. This is the reality for many Nigerians, especially civil servants and other unemployments people. The removal of fuel subsidies has only made things worse, leading to higher costs for basic necessities like food items and other products. The government has also removed subsidies on electricity, further straining household budgets.

The inability to afford a decent standard of living has broader social implications. Desperation and financial instability can drive people towards criminal activities such as kidnapping, banditry, and armed robbery. The current economic climate is fostering a sense of hopelessness, which can destroy social harmony and peace.

To improve the situation, the government must take steps to empower its citizens. Increasing the minimum wage to a sufficient amount is a crucial first step. For example, a person with a spouse and three children needs at least three hundred thousand (300,000) Naira per month to cover basic expenses like food, school fees, and transportation. Without a fair wage, civil servants cannot be expected to perform their duties effectively, as their financial struggles overshadow their professional responsibilities.

The government should also introduce programs to empower unemployed individuals. Such initiatives can help reduce crime rates and address the insecurity plaguing the nation.

As the NLC has now suspended the strike for five days to continue negotiations with the government, I want to take this opportunity to advise the government to act promptly and prevent the strike from resuming. The ongoing financial issues in our country are causing immense suffering among citizens due to poor government policies. It is crucial for the government to do the right thing at the right time.

This article was penned by Yasir Shehu Adam (Dan Liman), a journalist and writer from Bauchi. You can reach me at ysdanliman@gmail.com.