The Lagos State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to raise the state’s minimum wage to ₦150,000, citing the rising cost of living in the commercial hub.
The demand comes on the heels of recent wage reviews by Imo and Ebonyi State governments, which increased their minimum wages to ₦104,000 and ₦90,000 respectively.
Mrs. Funmi Sesi, chairperson of the NLC in Lagos, made the call on Thursday while reacting to the developments in the two states. She said the current minimum wage of ₦85,000 for Lagos workers no longer reflects economic realities.
“Accommodation, transportation, feeding, and utilities cost far more in Lagos than in many other states,” Sesi told the News Agency of Nigeria.
She described the wage increments in Imo and Ebonyi as “a welcome development” and urged other states to follow suit, particularly Lagos, given its high cost of living.
"The time has come for an upward review of the minimum wage in Lagos. At least someone has taken the bull by the horns and opened the space. No one can blame Governor Sanwo-Olu if he implements a higher wage for Lagos workers because we deserve a better wage and decent work conditions commensurate with current economic realities,” she said.
Sesi added that the union was looking forward to engaging with the state government to agree on an improved welfare package for workers.
Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo recently announced an increase in his state’s minimum wage from ₦76,000 to ₦104,000, while Ebonyi’s government raised its workers’ pay from ₦70,000 to ₦90,000, according to the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Chief Ikeuwa Omebe.
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