Date: May 2, 2026 l By Andrew Baba
Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has called for an urgent review of workers’ wages in Nigeria, citing worsening economic hardship and rising inflation that continue to erode the value of incomes.
In a Workers’ Day message delivered on May 1, 2026, Obi emphasized that Nigerian workers remain the backbone of the nation, sustaining families, institutions, and the broader economy despite increasingly difficult living conditions.
He expressed deep concern over the declining purchasing power of wages, noting that the current minimum wage is no longer sufficient to meet even basic needs. According to him, rising food prices, transportation costs, and general inflation have significantly weakened the value of earnings across the country.
Obi stated that it is “deeply painful” that workers who contribute daily to national development are not receiving fair compensation, stressing that the dignity of labour must be protected through better pay and economic reforms.
The call comes amid a broader cost-of-living crisis in Nigeria, where inflation and fuel price increases have driven up the cost of essential goods and services. Reports indicate that even the recently adjusted minimum wage has been largely overtaken by economic realities, leaving many workers struggling to cope.
Obi further warned that no country can achieve sustainable development if its workforce remains underpaid and overburdened. He urged policymakers to prioritize the welfare of workers, arguing that empowering labour is essential for national growth and stability.
Beyond wage issues, he encouraged citizens to remain actively engaged in governance and to demand leadership that is accountable, competent, and committed to improving living standards.
The renewed push for a wage review aligns with ongoing demands from labour unions and economic analysts, who have consistently called for salaries that reflect the rising cost of living in the country.
As Nigeria marks Workers’ Day, the issue of wage adequacy remains central to national discourse, with growing pressure on the government to take decisive action to address the economic challenges facing millions of workers.