Strike: Minimum Wage Should Be Around N250,000 – Daniel Bwala

 

Former lawmaker Senator Daniel Bwala has proposed that the minimum wage in Nigeria should be approximately N250,000. Bwala made this suggestion during an interview on TVC News on Monday, amidst the ongoing industrial action by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) over the failure to reach an agreement with the federal government on the national minimum wage.

 

Bwala emphasized the inadequacy of the current minimum wage in light of Nigeria's food inflation and general cost of living. He stated, "N60,000 is nowhere near sufficient. Even the federal government acknowledges this. I don’t think anyone in their right mind would claim that the Labour Union’s demands are unreasonable. They are justified but not practical."

 

He further added, "The government should be reasonable and consider a higher figure. I don’t believe the government intends for N60,000 to be the final offer. If you ask me, I believe the minimum wage should be around N250,000 in Nigeria. But if the funds are not available, then we have to work with what we have."

 

Bwala also criticized the NLC for their decision to go on strike. He questioned the timing of the strike, noting that it coincided with the start of examinations for students across the country. He remarked, "The NLC is harming the very families it claims to represent." 

Bwala's comments highlight the ongoing debate and challenges surrounding the minimum wage in Nigeria, particularly in the context of the NLC and TUC's demands and the federal government's response.