President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has proposed a controversial condition for increasing the minimum wage to N250,000.
In a recent meeting, President Tinubu agreed to meet the Labour demand for a higher minimum wage, but only if there was a corresponding increase in the pump price of petrol.
Joe Ajaero, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), revealed that Tinubu’s proposal included raising the minimum wage to N250,000, provided there would be an adjustment in the petrol pump price.
This proposal was met with strong opposition from Labour representatives. Ajaero stated that the labour leaders found the condition too harsh, as it would exacerbate the existing economic difficulties faced by Nigerians.
“Accepting N70,000 was the best way to ensure we save Nigerians from further hardship,” Ajaero explained. “At the last meeting, the President proposed, ‘I will give you N250,000 if you allow me to increase the pump price of petroleum products,’ and we said no. We needed to consult further.
“Today, we returned to tell him ‘no,’ and that the labour movement can make sacrifices without causing additional suffering for Nigerians due to increased petrol prices.”