News
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”.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has began airlifting the sensitive election materials for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to Benin, Edo State, ahead of the upcoming governorship election scheduled for September 21, 2024.
This was disclosed on Wednesday by the Deputy Director, Public Relations and Information, Group Captain Kabiru Ali.
The operation is part of the NAF’s efforts to ensure the timely and secure delivery of materials necessary for a smooth electoral process.
This development reinforces the collaboration between NAF and INEC to facilitate logistics and ensure a peaceful election in Edo State.
The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, had previously reiterated NAF’s commitment to providing airlift support for the swift movement of electoral materials during a meeting with INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu.
This airlift operation is a crucial aspect of NAF’s constitutional responsibility to provide Military Aid to Civil Authority, underscoring the force’s dedication to supporting democratic processes in Nigeria. With the election just days away, the NAF’s timely intervention will help ensure the successful conduct of the governorship elections in Edo State.
Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State had earlier accused the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, of working with the All Progressives Congress (APC) to hunt the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members and supporters in the state and force them into hiding ahead of September 21 governorship election.
Obaseki, who made the allegation when a delegation led by the former Head of State, Abdusalam Abubakar, met with him to get the governor and his party to sign peace accord, said that the IGP had made nonsense of his (Obaseki’s) role as the chief security officer of the state.
The governor had said that the police chief obtained a warrant to arrest 60 members and supporters of PDP in Edo and that the IGP sent an armed “gang” of policemen who invaded the state, attacked PDP members, shot at a local government chairman and arrested 10 persons who are currently being detained in Abuja without charges.
Asked by the former head of state if his party would sign the peace accord, Obaseki said, “The person who is supposed to enforce the peace accord is now an active participant in creating a destructive environment.
“We are now in a situation where from the Inspector General’s office, there are armed gang policemen who came into Edo State, invaded, arrested and took away PDP members.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke, has given reasons why he loves dancing.
The ‘Dancing Governor’, as he is fondly called, revealed this on Wednesday while responding to a tweet on X.
An X user, @Iwogoke, while praising the governor, stated that Adeleke has been busy fulfilling his electoral promises to the people of Osun State, while his political opponents believe he is only good at dancing.
Iwogoke tweeted, “I’m not flattering you, Your Excellency, your opponents think you can only dance but while they are busy shouting and calling you ‘Dancing Governor’, you are busy fulfilling your electoral promises to the people.”
Responding to the tweet via his verified X account, Adeleke explained that he loves dancing because it brings him joy.
Speaking further on his love for dancing, Adeleke highlighted that while dancing brings him immense happiness, his greater fulfilment comes from delivering the dividends of democracy to the people of Osun.
Outlining his administration’s efforts to enhance the state’s infrastructure, he noted that primary health centre rehabilitation is underway in at least 200 out of the 332 wards across Osun State, adding that road construction projects are also progressing in every local government area.
He wrote, “Dancing gives me joy, but delivering on my electoral promises and providing the dividends of democracy to the good people of Osun gives me even greater joy. Rehabilitation of primary health centers is ongoing in at least 200 out of 332 wards, and road construction is progressing in every Local Government!”
Ecoparl: Speaker Ibrahima Reaffirms Parliament’s Dedication to Regional Unity
Air Force Begins Moving Electoral Materials For Edo Guber Election
“Dancing gives me abundant joy and peace of mind”-Gov Adeleke
Just in: Terrorists ambush military truck, kill all soldiers on board
Nigerian Dancer, Korra Obidi Attacked with acid, stabbed on stage In UK
Meet Rare Gem 16 Years Old Chiaza, CEO of ‘RUN MARKET PLACE’
-
News21 hours agoPHOTOS: Finally, FCT Minister, Wike settles with the Duke, Nduka Obaigbena, publisher of Thisday, Arise Tv
-
Politics20 hours agoRivers PDP elders tackle Ada George over attack on Wike
-
News20 hours agoOver 3000 Lagos Residents Rendered Homeless As Govt Officials, Policemen Demolish, Set Buildings On Fire
-
News17 hours agoPopular Ekiti Born Philanthropist, Funso Ayeni Bags PhD in US Varsity
-
Economy17 hours agoSEE Black Market Dollar (USD) To Naira (NGN) Exchange Rate Today
-
News15 hours agoJust in: Wanted ex-Kogi gov, Yahaya Bello honours EFCC invitation
-
News21 hours agoHire and fire Gov Fubara fires LG chairman, appoints caretaker immediately
-
News20 hours agoFG Issues Flood Alert As Cameroon Releases Water From Lagdo Dam