Oshiomhole to Governors: "No Excuses" to May New Minimum Wage

The Senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, has berated the thirty thousand naira minimum wage. 

Oshiomhole, who was a guest on Channels Television’s Politics Today, on Wednesday, said that state governors can no longer cite low revenue as an excuse for withholding payment of a new minimum wage to their workers.

He added that said that the current minimum wage of N30,000 is outdated and should be increased to meet with rising cost of living. 

He also emphasised mutual agreement between workers and the Federal Government and the state counterparts, calling for a new minimum wage for Nigerian workers.

Oshiomole said, “I think there is some agreement between employers, including private employers and obviously the Federal Government, and I believe state governments that the current minimum wage of N30,000 is a joke.” 

He added, “Those governors are buying cars at the current price. They don’t pity them because revenue is low. The truth of the matter is that we have to speak the language of the market. Those forces that drive prices also drive the cost of living. 

“There is a recognition of the fact that the purchasing power of the workers across the board including directors, permanent secretaries not to talk of those on levels one to four, has dropped radically and you need to beef it up and put food on the table for families.”