By: Abdullahi Inuwa
For millions of Nigerian workers, the monthly salary battle is no longer simply about earning a living; it is increasingly about surviving a rapidly changing economy.
Against this backdrop, Coordinator of the Tinubu Must Stay 2027 movement, Bello Lateef Oluwaseun, has called for a substantial upward review of workers’ wages, proposing a minimum wage of between N400,000 and N500,000 to help civil and public servants cope with the rising cost of living.
Oluwaseun, who hails from Apapa-Iganmu Local Council Development Area of Lagos State, made the call on Saturday, September 19, 2026, while commenting on the economic pressures confronting Nigerian workers, particularly those living and working in Lagos.
His argument is straightforward: when rent, food, transportation, education, healthcare and other necessities consume a large portion of a worker’s income, the value of the salary on paper can be very different from what that salary can actually buy.
For workers in Lagos, where accommodation alone can swallow a significant part of monthly earnings, Oluwaseun believes the issue has become particularly urgent.
The proposal is far above Nigeria’s existing statutory minimum-wage framework and should therefore be understood as Oluwaseun’s advocacy position, rather than the current national minimum wage.
The Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment had stated during the 2024 wage process that the new national minimum wage would take effect from April 1, 2024, with government and organised labour discussing a wage structure that would better reflect prevailing economic conditions.
The debate has since remained closely tied to one fundamental question: what does a worker’s salary actually buy?
That question is becoming increasingly important as households adjust to the cost of food, accommodation, transportation and other basic needs. The National Bureau of Statistics continues to publish Consumer Price Index data tracking changes in prices across the Nigerian economy, including food and household expenses.
From an opinion standpoint, Oluwaseun’s call goes beyond simply demanding a bigger figure on workers’ payslips. It raises the broader issue of whether wage adjustments should be regularly measured against the real purchasing power of employees.
A salary increase that is quickly absorbed by rent, transport and food costs may provide only temporary relief. This means that wage policy, if it is to effectively improve workers’ welfare, may need to be considered alongside policies aimed at reducing the cost of essential goods and services.
There is also another side to the argument.
Any major increase in wages would have to be considered alongside the financial capacity of governments, employers and businesses. Labour costs affect public budgets, private-sector operations and, potentially, the prices of goods and services. A sustainable wage policy would therefore require negotiations among government, organised labour, employers and other stakeholders.
That does not, however, diminish the concern being raised by Oluwaseun.
For a worker who spends a substantial portion of income on rent, transport and feeding before considering school fees, medical bills, electricity, clothing and other obligations, the question of whether wages are sufficient is not an abstract economic debate. It is a daily household calculation.
Oluwaseun described his proposed wage increase as a necessary response to what he sees as the difficult and frustrating economic circumstances confronting workers.
He argued that the objective should ultimately be to give workers enough purchasing power to live with dignity rather than merely increasing salaries numerically.
That distinction is important.
The debate over wages should not be reduced to how many naira appear on a payslip. The real test is what those naira can purchase at the market, what kind of accommodation they can secure, how far they can take a worker to and from work, and whether they can adequately support a family.
Oluwaseun also urged policymakers to look beyond historical salary structures and continually assess workers’ earnings against prevailing economic conditions.
For him, better wages should form part of a wider economic strategy capable of strengthening household purchasing power.
His position also reflects the political context in which he made the statement. As Coordinator of the Tinubu Must Stay 2027 movement, he has expressed support for the continuation of President Bola Tinubu’s administration. However, his wage proposal remains an advocacy position and should be judged on its economic implications rather than simply its political affiliation.
Ultimately, the N400,000–N500,000 proposal opens another chapter in Nigeria’s long-running conversation about wages and living standards.
The challenge for policymakers is how to balance workers’ legitimate demand for improved purchasing power with the need for fiscal sustainability, business viability and price stability.
For Nigerian workers, however, the question remains immediate: if the cost of living continues to rise, how much income is enough to live decently?
That is the question Bello Lateef Oluwaseun has placed firmly back on the national conversation.s
Abdullahi Inuwa Social Commentator ainuwa303@gmail.com
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