Minimum Wage: Obasanjo Accuses Labour Leaders of Betrayal

Workers’ Rights: Obasanjo Critiques Labour Leaders’ Actions

​Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has criticized the N70,000 minimum wage approved by President Bola Tinubu’s administration, deeming it insufficient to meet workers’ basic needs such as transportation, food, and housing. In his newly released book, “Nigeria: Past and Future,” Obasanjo expressed concerns that the current minimum wage fails to cover even transportation costs for some workers, let alone other essential expenses.

Obasanjo also accused labor leaders of betraying workers by prioritizing personal interests over collective welfare. He alleged that some union leaders engage in superficial negotiations and are subsequently appeased with monetary incentives to remain silent, a practice he claims has been ongoing since 2015 and is worsening.

Highlighting ethical concerns, Obasanjo criticized labor leaders who negotiate political positions while still in office, suggesting that such actions compromise their ability to effectively advocate for workers. He proposed implementing a law requiring labor leaders to wait at least five years after leaving office before engaging in politics to prevent conflicts of interest.

The N70,000 minimum wage was enacted into law on July 29, 2024, following negotiations between organized labor and the private sector. This agreement concluded months of discussions, during which labor unions reduced their initial demand from N250,000 per month to N70,000.