70,000 Naira to 300,000 Naira: Federal Workers Just Made One of Nigeria’s Boldest Wage Demands. Will Tinubu Agree?

                          

Federal workers in Nigeria are asking the government to increase the minimum wage from 70,000 Naira to 300,000 Naira.

The demand was made by the Federal Workers Forum (FWF) in a letter dated September 2, 2026, addressed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the National Assembly. Business Post

The forum argues that the increase is necessary because workers are dealing with higher costs for food, transportation, accommodation, electricity, cooking gas and other basic needs.

The workers say the current 70,000 Naira wage no longer reflects the rising cost of living. Food, transportation, housing, electricity and other basic expenses have become increasingly expensive.

Moving from 70,000 Naira to 300,000 Naira would mean an increase of about 329%.

Current minimum wage: 70,000 Naira
Proposed minimum wage: 300,000 Naira 

Increase: 230,000 Naira 

Percentage increase: approximately 329%

The Federal Workers Forum is also proposing a new salary structure that would increase pay progressively across the federal civil service, with Level 1 Step 1 workers starting at 300,000 Naira and Level 17 officers earning up to 1.5 million Naira.

The proposed structure includes 330,000 Naira for Level 2, 360,000 Naira for Level 3, 390,000 Naira  for Level 4 and 420,000 Naira for Level 5, with salaries rising further at higher levels. 

For a worker earning 70,000 Naira, reaching 300,000  Naira would mean more than quadrupling their monthly pay. The group is also calling for the payment of outstanding allowances and arrears. This Day report

President Tinubu approved the current 70,000 Naira minimum wage in 2024, replacing the previous 30,000 Naira wage. The government said the wage would be reviewed after three years. Presidential villa state house

But increasing the minimum wage to 300,000 Naira would significantly increase the government's wage bill. Workers argue that the increase is necessary to help them cope with the rising cost of living. 

For now, 300,000 Naira remains a demand not an approved minimum wage. But the question is already on the table: Will President Tinubu accept the proposal, negotiate a lower figure or keep the current  70,000 Naira wage?

Everyone has an opinion, on OpinionMarket you can go beyond discussing the outcome you can trade your view on what happens next. Will the government say yes or no or meet somewhere in between? Take a position, follow the market and see whether your prediction holds up on OpinionMarket.