Atiku to Tinubu govt: Give Nigerians living wage; minimum wage is N213,000 in Libya, N245,000 in Algeria, N351,000 in Gabon

Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar has backed organised labour’s demand for a substantial increase in Nigeria’s minimum wage, accusing President Bola Tinubu’s administration of worsening the cost-of-living crisis.

In a statement by his spokesperson, Phrank Shaibu, Peoples Gazette that Atiku said the increase from ₦30,000 to ₦70,000 had failed to restore workers’ purchasing power amid rising fuel, food, transport and housing costs.

“At ₦1,400 a litre, the entire ₦70,000 monthly minimum wage buys just 50 litres of petrol. What does the worker take home to feed the children? What pays the rent? What gets that worker back to work on Monday?” Atiku asked.

He said the wage could no longer adequately support workers.

“The payslip has grown, but the fuel it can buy has more than halved. Tinubu has given workers a larger number and left them with a smaller life. That is hardship dressed up as a wage increase,” he said.

Atiku called for an immediate wage increase and pledged to raise the wage floor from his first day in office if elected in 2027.

“A living wage must buy a living. It is not a privilege; it is a basic right. Tinubu has made life painfully expensive. I will make life affordable again,” he said.