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How N60k Minimum Wage Offered By FG Is Worth Less Than N30k Wage In 2019
In December 2019, it was widely reported that the Nigerian government had approved a minimum wage of N30,000.
This followed negotiations between the Nigerian government and labour unions.
About five years down the line, there is a dispute between organised labour and the federal government.
While there has been a back and forth on the need to have a new minimum wage, given the economic realities of the country, the exact amount to be pegged as the new minimum wage has been a subject of disagreement between workers in the private, public sector on the one hand and the Nigerian government and private sector decision-makers on the other hand.
As of the time of filing this report, the Nigerian government’s proposal of N60,000 minimum wage was on the table, but it has been rejected by labour unions.
As a sign of discontent, the workers in the country have downed tools. The Nigeria Labour Congress President, Joe Ajaero and Trade Union Congress President, Festus Osifo, accused the government of being unserious with the negotiations, “leaving the labour with no choice but to initiate industrial action”.
Power and aviation are some of the sectors that have been grounded.
In this report, SaharaReporters delves into this disagreement, examining the proposed N60,000 minimum wage and the current N30,000 minimum wage. The report looks at what can N60,000 buy in current-day Nigeria and what could N30,000 do as of 2019 when it was approved as the new minimum wage.
Between December 2019, when the new minimum wage was widely reported and April 2024, the prices of basic food items have increased by well over 200%, increasing by over 500% in some cases.
As of December 2019, 1kg of garri cost N159, however, it had jumped to N851 as of April 2024.
A kilogramme of rice sold for N459 in December 2019, but the same quantity sold for a national average of N1,399 in April 2024, based on data from the National Bureau of Statistics.
Other items such as tomatoes, beans and chicken have witnessed significant hikes in prices.
N30,000 Minimum Wage In 2019 Worth More N60,000 Minimum Wage Proposed In 2024
Based on data from the National Bureau of Statistics, foodwise, N60,000 is currently worth less compared to the N30,000 approved minimum wage of N2019.
Data analysis shows that in December 2019, N30,000 could purchase 188kg of garri but N60,000 as of April 2024, could only purchase 70kg of garri.
N30,000 as of 2019 could purchase 65kg of rice but N60,000 in April 2024, would only purchase 42kg of rice.
N30,000 in 2019 would buy 100kg of beans, however, N60,000 in April 2024 could only buy 43kg of beans. The proposed N60,000 is only worth 12 kg of chicken while N30,000 was worth N42kg of chicken as of 2019, based on data published by the National Bureau of Statistics.
Nigeria is a highly import-dependent country, usually affected largely by the impact of the dollar to naira rate, especially as the dollar is a globally accepted trading currency.
The exchange rate of dollar to naira as of December 2019 was N359, meaning that N30,000 minimum wage was worth $83, per official exchange published by the CBN.
But as of May 31, 2024, the dollar stood at N1,482 to naira, meaning that N60,000 is worth $40.
N30,000 Can Cover More Road Trips Than Newly Proposed N60,000 Minimum Wage
SaharaReporters review shows that the average cost for road trips in December 2019, stood at N198, meaning that N30,000 couldcover 151 road trips, based on data on the cost of road transport provided by the National Bureau of Statistics.
As of April 2024, the average cost of a road trip stood at N967, meaning that N60,000 could cover only 62 road trips at the time.
N30,000 In 2019 Would Buy More Litres Of Fuel Than N60,000 Today
Petroleum is a major item in the Nigerian economy. Many rely on it for electricity, given the poor state of power supply in the country. Others rely on it for transportation.
Petrol is a major lifeline, but it cost more in April 2024, than it did in December 2019.
N30,000 could purchase 206 litres of fuel at N145 per litre in 2019, while the currently proposed N60,000 can only buy 85 litres of fuel.
The ongoing strike action embarked upon by organised labour on Monday has paralysed activities in the country amid sprawling inflation and hunger being experienced by citizens. The Nigerian government has defended its proposal of N60,000, but the Nigerian labour has waved off the argument, calling it “unserious”.
… better than oil and drug peddling
Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State on Saturday disclosed that arrested Finland-based self-acclaimed Biafra agitator, Simon Ekpa “has continued kidnapping for ransom.
Soludo said kidnapping is currently a business that is more lucrative than drugs and oil.
The governor who spoke in Awka, the state capital, said before he became governor, eight local government areas in the state were being controlled by gunmen.
Soludo also recalled how his father was kidnapped in 2009.
He said: “Kidnapping is not new, my father had been kidnapped as far back as 2009. GU Okeke, Pokobros and many others have fallen victim too.
“Before I assumed office, about eight local government areas were being controlled by gunmen.
“They killed policemen and collected guns, attacked and burnt down police stations and went into the bush to label themselves liberators.
We came in and went to work and cleared them and we recovered the eight local government areas that were under siege. These gangs claim to be Biafra freedom fighters. IPOB has dissociated themselves from it, but one Simon Ekpa has continued kidnapping for ransom.
“Kidnapping for ransom is now the most lucrative enterprise, even more lucrative than drugs and oil. For every one naira reported as payment for ransom, five to six naira was not reported.
“With a culture that celebrates wealth without craft, even the kidnappers amongst us are now celebrated. Idolatry which these criminals have converted to have become the fastest growing religion in the South-East. Nothing is sacred to them anymore.”
Ex-governor of Anambra State and presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, in the 2023 general election, Mr Peter Obi has protested the level of hardship faced by the poor in Nigeria.
The former governor spoke during a visit to the Archbishop Province on the Niger and Bishop of Awka Diocese of Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion, His Grace Alexander Ibezim.
He said: “The hardship in Nigeria is too much, how can the ordinary people survive. The woman who sells pepper by the road side has to pay huge charges to get her own money. How much is her profit margin and how much will remain after paying charges?
“No country is run like that. Don’t bother to interview me on that, I will write officially to the President on this and state all these things.
“These (POS Charges) is too much, no country is run like this,” Obi told journalists who approached him to speak on the matter.
Delta State Governor, Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has commiserated with the Ibru family of Agbarha-Otor in Ughelli North Local Government Area of the State on the death of their wife and mother, Mrs. Edna Ibru.
Mrs Ibru, who reportedly died after a brief illness, was the wife of late Olorogun Senator Felix Ovuodoroye Ibru, first Executive Governor of Delta State.
A former Miss Nigeria, Mrs Ibru in 1964, died in London after a brief illness on Wednesday.
In a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Sir Festus Ahon, the governor described the demise of Mrs Ibru as sad and painful, adding that she was a loving wife and mother who supported her husband and family in all his noble endeavours.
He said, “On behalf of the government and people of Delta, I mourn the passing of a great woman of substance, a caring mother and loving wife, Mrs Edna Ibru.
“The news of her death came to me as a shock, especially now that the family members needed her motherly and wise counsel.
“She was a woman of faith who devoted her time in supporting her husband’s political career which culminated in his election as the first Executive Governor of Delta State.”
Oborevwori prayed to God to accept the soul of the deceased and grant fortitude to the family and friends she left to bear the loss.
Just in: Gov Soludo reveals those behind kidnapping in SE, says it’s now a lucrative biz
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