Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Wednesday, announced an increase in the state’s minimum wage to ₦85,000 during an interview on Channels Television.
This move comes shortly after the Federal Government and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) agreed on a new national minimum wage of ₦70,000. While some states like Kogi have raised their minimum wage to ₦72,500, others such as Ogun, Ekiti, and Ondo have also introduced new wage policies in line with the national directive.
However, the governor’s announcement has drawn criticism from social activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, who took to social media to voice his concerns. Sowore pointed out the disparity between the new minimum wage and the cost of living in Lagos, especially with the recent launch of the Red Line train.
“Yesterday, the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, launched a Redline train with fanfare. It costs ₦1,500 per trip, ₦15,000 per week, and ₦60,000 monthly,” Sowore wrote. “He also announced Lagos’s minimum wage at ₦85,000 per month. If workers take the Red Line to work, THEN!?”
https://x.com/YeleSowore/status/1846852369532834087?s=19
Sowore’s criticism centers around the high cost of transportation in relation to the new wage, suggesting that workers might spend a significant portion of their salary on commuting alone, leaving little for other essentials.
The Red Line train, which was unveiled with much fanfare by Governor Sanwo-Olu, aims to ease transportation woes in the state. However, with fares set at ₦1,500 per trip, it raises concerns about affordability for Lagos workers who now earn ₦85,000 per month.
As Lagosians await further developments, the interplay between wage adjustments and living expenses continues to be a crucial point of discussion for both workers and policymakers.
