Former Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President and ex-Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, has advocated for higher wages for workers employed by government entities. CONTINUE READING

In an interview with Channels Television, Oshiomhole emphasized that major employers like the federal, state, and local governments should exceed the legally mandated minimum wage. He drew upon his experience as NLC President, during which he successfully negotiated a wage increase for workers in Lagos and the federal government.

Oshiomhole explained that at the time, the legal minimum wage was N5,000, but the NLC negotiated a 50% increase, resulting in wages of N7,500 for both Lagos and the federal government.

He argued that government employers have the responsibility to set a positive example and provide their employees with a living wage. In his own words:

“A major employer of labour like the State, Local Government and the Federal Government shouldn’t actually be paying the Legal minimum wage, they should pay much more which was why when I was the President of NLC, the minimum wage by law was N5,000 then, but we decided that Lagos should pay N7,500 and the Federal Government should pay N7,500 which means 50% over and above the legal minimum wage.” CONTINUE READING