AbdulRazaq to Tinubu: Consider Increasing Minimum Wage to N100,000

AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, governor of Kwara, has asked President Bola Tinubu to consider increasing the national minimum wage from N70,000 to N100,000.

AbdulRazaq spoke on Friday during a meeting between Tinubu and state governors at the president’s residence in Lagos.

The Kwara governor, who is the chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), commended Tinubu’s “courage” for removing petrol subsidy.

The NGF chairman said only one percent of politicians can make the tough call.

The Kwara governor said state governments envisaged that Nigerians would embark on protests against the subsidy removal.

AbdulRazaq disclosed that governors had mobilised security agencies in anticipation of public pushback.

“We were expecting serious riots, because there were riots — #EndBadGovernance riots — even before then and for lesser issues,” the Kwara governor said.

“Well, lo and behold, we spent money and mobilised the security agencies to secure the states. Lo and behold, on that day, nothing happened. There was no riot and protest anywhere.

“I think the nation was shocked by the audacity of Mr President to implement that serious policy. Today, we’ve benefited immensely from that policy.

“I can say as a matter of fact, in my own state, when we get the FAAC allocation, after paying salaries, we’re left with N100 or N200 million.”

AbdulRazaq said states are no longer borrowing money and issuing bonds to raise funds for salaries and projects.

The governor added that most states now pay a minimum wage of N100,000 — as opposed to the N70,000 national statutory minimum wage.

“I urge your excellency, let’s have a discussion on moving the minimum wage to a minimum of 100,000,” he said.

“We know we’ll get support from you as we go ahead to implement that.”

In June 2024, Tinubu approved the increase of minimum wage from N30,000 to N70,000 after assenting to the national minimum wage legislation.

The legislation provides for a review of the minimum wage every three years.

The previous N30,000 minimum wage was approved by former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019.