Nigerian govt increases workers’ salaries by 35%

The Nigerian government has announced a 25 percent and 35 percent salary increase for certain groups of workers in the country in celebration of May Day. The increase, which applies to government workers in the education, health, and security sectors, is retroactive to January 2024. The lowest-paid government employee will now earn 450,000 naira ($323.97) annually or 37,500 naira monthly, according to the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission.

Labor unions in Nigeria have been advocating for higher wages and salaries since last year when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu removed subsidies on petrol. Inflation in the country has soared to nearly 35 percent, the highest in three decades, while the value of the Naira has plummeted against the dollar. Many Nigerians are struggling with the economic crisis and are calling for a significant increase in their take-home pay to meet the current cost of living.

The announcement of the salary increase for civil servants on May Day has received mixed reactions in Nigeria. Some labor unions believe that a general increase in the minimum wage is more important than focusing on specific sectors of workers. The Nigeria Labour Congress spokesperson emphasized the need for the increase to be extended to lower-level civil servants who are more vulnerable.

Since 2019, Nigeria’s minimum wage has been set at 30,000 naira per month, which is now worth less than 20 dollars due to the devaluation of the Naira. Negotiations between the government and labor unions regarding an increase in the minimum wage are ongoing.