Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has raised concerns over the worsening condition of Nigerian workers despite the enactment of the new ₦70,000 minimum wage signed into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2024.
In his latest book, “Nigeria: Past and Future”, Obasanjo described how many workers are still unable to meet basic needs, even with the new wage adjustment. He emphasized that the wage falls short of covering essential expenses such as transportation, housing, food, and family welfare — leaving workers vulnerable and underserved.
“Workers deserve far better than they are currently receiving. Meeting their basic needs is a right that has been neglected for far too long,” Obasanjo wrote.
President Tinubu had officially approved the ₦70,000 monthly minimum wage on July 29, 2024, following extensive negotiations with organized labour and private sector stakeholders, which concluded on July 18, 2024. The agreed figure was a significant reduction from labour’s initial demand for ₦250,000 per month.
Prior to this adjustment, the prevailing minimum wage in Nigeria was ₦33,000, established under former President Muhammadu Buhari on April 18, 2019. However, rising inflation and deteriorating economic conditions have rendered this previous wage grossly inadequate, fueling the push for a review.
In Chapter 17 of his book, Obasanjo criticized labour union leaders, accusing them of abandoning workers’ welfare in pursuit of personal and political interests. He expressed disappointment over union leaders allegedly engaging in secret deals with political parties while still in office. “How can a trade union leader, who should be negotiating for workers, be simultaneously seeking endorsement as a gubernatorial candidate?” Obasanjo questioned.
He further alleged that some labour leaders have resorted to accepting bribes to suppress agitation for workers’ rights. “Instead of genuinely negotiating for the welfare of workers, they engage in grandstanding, only to be invited for private discussions where they are bribed into silence. Sadly, this trend has persisted since 2015, and it’s only getting worse,” he lamented.
Obasanjo also referenced government officials’ admission of financially pacifying labour leaders; “What do we make of a senior government figure close to the President saying, ‘We have paid them to stop agitating’? What value do such compromised leaders bring to the nation’s progress? A disillusioned and demoralized workforce cannot give its best.”
While acknowledging that everyone has the right to participate in politics, Obasanjo maintained that using labour unions as stepping stones for political ambitions undermines the purpose of organized labour.
To address this issue, he proposed enacting a law that mandates a minimum five-year gap between a union leader’s tenure and active participation in politics — a move aimed at preserving the integrity of labour unions and ensuring they focus solely on workers’ welfare.
