Atiku seeks wage increase amid N1400/litre fuel

Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, Atiku Abubakar, has urged President Bola Tinubu to immediately raise the national minimum wage, citing the erosion of purchasing power due to soaring fuel and living costs. In a statement released on Sunday, Atiku criticized the current N70,000 minimum wage, stating that it has been unable to keep pace with rising petrol prices of N1,400 per litre.

He argued that the wage increase from N30,000 to N70,000 in July 2024 has failed to adequately protect workers from the impact of higher living expenses. Atiku compared the purchasing power of the old and current wage levels, highlighting that N70,000 at the current petrol price can only purchase 50 litres of petrol, while N30,000 could buy about 118 litres in April 2023.

The former vice president criticized the removal of the petrol subsidy and urged the government to take immediate action to address the cost of living crisis. He also noted that Nigeria's minimum wage is lower when converted using current exchange rates compared to other African oil-producing countries.