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FULL LIST: Top 10 African countries with highest minimum wage in 2026

Minimum wage represents the lowest legal remuneration that workers can receive, intended to ensure they can meet basic living needs.

Across many parts of the world, including Africa, employees often earn far below what is necessary for a decent standard of living.

Nevertheless, several African countries have developed robust policies that prioritise worker welfare, guaranteeing fair compensation and providing a framework for improved livelihoods.

Below are the top 10 African countries with highest minimum wage in 2026

1. Morocco – Minimum Wage: $374

Morocco tops the list with a minimum wage of about $374 per month, supported by a diversified economy spanning agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism. Strong trade links with Europe and the Middle East help sustain economic activity and worker incomes. GDP grew 4.4% in 2025.

2. Mauritius – Minimum Wage: $371

Mauritius offers one of Africa’s highest minimum wages at approximately $371.75 per month. The economy is underpinned by tourism, finance, and technology sectors, which support stable employment and higher wages. GDP grew 3.2% in 2025.

3. Tunisia – Minimum Wage: $185

Tunisia’s minimum wage stands at around $185.54 per month, with a mixed economy of agriculture, manufacturing, and services. Economic reforms and moderate growth help maintain this wage level. GDP growth was 2.5% in 2025.

4. Algeria – Minimum Wage: $185

Algeria’s minimum wage is about $185.25 per month, largely supported by oil and gas exports. Public sector wages and social programs also reinforce the minimum wage framework. The country recorded 3.4% GDP growth in 2025.

5. Egypt – Minimum Wage: $149

Egypt has a minimum wage of roughly $149.79 per month. The economy is supported by agriculture, industry, and services, with reforms aimed at boosting investment and employment. GDP grew 4.3% in 2025.

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6. Botswana – Minimum Wage: $142

Botswana’s minimum wage averages $142.62 per month, backed by diamond-driven revenues. However, the economy experienced a contraction due to weak global demand. GDP contracted by −0.9% in 2025.

7. Cape Verde – Minimum Wage: $139

Cape Verde offers a minimum wage of about $139.41 per month, with tourism, services, and remittances driving the economy. GDP grew 5.2% in 2025, among the highest in the top ten list.

8. Lesotho – Minimum Wage: $139

Lesotho’s minimum wage is around $139.40 per month. The economy relies on manufacturing, agriculture, and remittances from migrant workers. GDP growth was 1.4% in 2025.

9. Kenya – Minimum Wage: $118

Kenya’s minimum wage stands at approximately $118.20 per month. A diversified economy driven by agriculture, manufacturing, and services supports employment and wage floors. GDP grew 4.8% in 2025.

10. Mozambique – Minimum Wage: $104

Mozambique has a minimum wage of about $104.92 per month, reflecting its lower-income status. Investments in agriculture and energy are helping the economy gradually expand. GDP growth stood at 2.5% in 2025

February 8, 2026
Union warns firms not paying minimum wage, labour laws violation

Employers Association for Private Employment Agencies of Nigeria has vowed to clamp down on firms that fail to comply with the national minimum wage and violate decent work standards.

At its 14th AGM in Lagos, President, Nzeribe Okegbue, said the union will partner NLC and Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity to uphold workers’ rights, especially in enforcing the N70,000 wage.

Chief Okegbue said his administration would strengthen the body’s structures and deepen its collaboration with regulatory and international labour bodies.

He said: “Our plan is to reinforce our structure and relationship with the ministry, ILO, IOM, and others.

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The president, who decried reports that some companies still pay workers N20,000 to N50,000 monthly, said the union would no longer remain silent on the issue.

‘‘For us, decent work starts with decent pay. You cannot talk about decent work when workers earn far below N70,000 minimum wage. That is unacceptable. Decent work also means ensuring worker safety and a healthy work environment,” Okegbue added.

Past President, Olufemi Ogunlowo, noted challenges facing the private sector. He cited rising costs, inflation, restrictive policies, and a weak infrastructure base as hurdles.

“The new wage has driven up costs while inflation erodes profit margins. Despite these, we will promote ethical recruitment, digitising job processes, and ensure compliance with labour laws.

Protecting job seekers and migrant workers remains top priority,” he added.

Both leaders pledge to seek ethical standards, and work with stakeholders to ensure fair and decent employment practice.

October 16, 2025
FULL LIST: Top 10 African countries with highest minimum wages 2025

Minimum wage is the least amount paid to workers of any country which is expected to help them afford their basic needs.

Unfortunately, employees do not earn enough in some parts of the world including Africa.

However, some African countries have managed to formulate effective policies that address the welfare of workers and ensure they are paid well.

Below are African countries with the highest minimum wage as listed by International Labour Organization:

1. Seychelles – Minimum Wage: $404

Seychelles, the Indian Ocean archipelago of fewer than 133,000 people, maintains Africa’s highest minimum wage at $404. With just over 53,000 employed and an unemployment rate of 3%, the nation projects 3.5% growth in 2025, anchored by tourism, fisheries, and financial services. Nominal GDP is estimated at $2.2 billion, or $21,630 per capita, while inflation is forecast at just 1.7%. On April 1, 2025, Seychelles enacted its first minimum wage review since January 2020.

2. Mauritius – Minimum Wage: $377

Mauritius continues to rank among Africa’s most diversified economies, with a minimum wage of $377. The island nation, home to 1.27 million people, has a labor force of 595,000. GDP is estimated at $15.5 billion, or $12,330 per capita, with 2025 growth projected at 3%. Inflation is expected at 3.6%, underscoring the challenge of balancing growth and cost of living. The most recent wage hike took effect in January 2024.

3. Morocco – Minimum Wage: $362

Morocco, with a population of 38.4 million, maintains a minimum wage of $362. GDP is estimated at $165.8 billion, or $4,400 per capita, with purchasing power parity lifting it to $11,270. Growth is projected at 3.9% in 2025, while inflation stands at 2.2%. The government last raised wages in January 2025 and plans a 20% increase in 2026. Agriculture, manufacturing, and services remain key drivers of its steady expansion.

4. South Africa – Minimum Wage: $273.15

South Africa, Africa’s most industrialized economy, sets its minimum wage at $273.15. With a population of 64.7 million and unemployment at 32.8%, growth remains sluggish at 1% in 2025. Nominal GDP is $410.34 billion, or $6,400 per capita. Inflation is projected at 3.8%. On March 1, 2025, the government raised the hourly wage to R28.79, seeking to ease inequality amid slow recovery.

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5. Equatorial Guinea – Minimum Wage: $231

Equatorial Guinea, with a population of 1.94 million, pays a minimum wage of $231. Once among Africa’s wealthiest per capita due to oil, the country faces contraction with GDP projected to shrink by 4.2% in 2025. Nominal GDP stands at $12.68 billion, or $7,750 per capita. Inflation at 4% compounds pressures on households already burdened by stagnation and limited benefits from resource wealth.

6. Libya – Minimum Wage: $185

Libya sets its minimum wage at $185. With 7.48 million people, the country’s economy is valued at $47.5 billion, though large informal activity—32% of GDP—distorts official estimates. Projections suggest GDP could rise to $215 billion by 2026, contingent on oil stability and improved governance. Despite political uncertainty, Libya’s per capita output in PPP terms remains strong relative to regional peers.

7. Tunisia – Minimum Wage: $181

Tunisia maintains a minimum wage of $181. Its 2025 GDP is projected at $56.29 billion, or $4,530 per capita, with 3.6 million people employed. Growth remains modest at 1.4%, insufficient to absorb labor market entrants. Inflation at 6.1% erodes household incomes, straining an economy already facing global uncertainties and structural hurdles.

8. Algeria – Minimum Wage: $154

Algeria’s minimum wage is set at $154. Home to 47.6 million people, its employed population stood at 13.2 million in 2024. Nominal GDP is projected at $268.9 billion, or $5,690 per capita, with growth forecast at 3.5% in 2025. Hydrocarbons remain the backbone of the economy, though diversification efforts continue. Inflation is contained at 3.7%, providing relative stability in a volatile region.

9. Egypt – Minimum Wage: $145

Egypt, with nearly 119 million people, offers a minimum wage of $145. GDP is estimated at $347 billion, or $4,000 per capita, with growth forecast at 4.2% in 2025. Despite robust output, inflation above 20% continues to erode purchasing power. Unemployment stands at 7.7%. Remittances and Suez Canal revenues remain vital, even as subsidy reforms and rising costs weigh heavily on households.

10. Mauritania – Minimum Wage: $112.64

Mauritania sets its minimum wage at $112.64. With 5.3 million people, the nation’s GDP is valued at $11.47 billion, or $2,480 per capita. On a PPP basis, GDP rises to $40.1 billion, or $8,650 per capita. Growth is projected at 4.4% in 2025, supported by resource extraction, while inflation remains at 3.5%. Despite challenges, the country shows progress in diversification and relative stability in prices.

September 28, 2025
‘Lie lie’ wage structure

This must be dismantled and replaced with a realistic and equitable one

With regard to wages or salaries, successive Nigerian governments have been behaving like the woman who has only one child, and when the child was fighting outside and the matter was reported to her, she asked: which of my children? Which one? How? How many children does she have to warrant that sort of question?

That is exactly the same way Nigerian governments and indeed, almost all employers in the country have been deceiving themselves over salary matters for years.

They pay wages that cannot take people home and call them take-home pay. Unfortunately, the politicians in the National Assembly who become so stingy when handling other people’s salary matters spoil themselves with some of the most stupendous wages and allowances that would qualify for one of the most obscene in the world.

While some state governments and even private employers are trying to do more for their workers, others are lukewarm.

Just last week, the Nigeria Labour Congress’s (NLC), president, Joe Ajaero, and the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA), commended the Imo and Ebonyi state governments for raising minimum wage from the N70,000 approved by the Federal Government in July, 2024, to N104,000 and N90,000, respectively.

Ideally, this should be the spirit: the Federal Government’s minimum wage is, as its name implies, the minimum anywhere in the country. Employers of labour are at liberty to go beyond that amount. But they cannot pay less. The two state governments said they are able to raise workers’ salaries because federal allocation to them has increased substantially.

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This is a truth some state governments do not want to get out there. State governments, as well as other tiers of government have been receiving substantially more revenue from the centre since President Bola Tinubu took over in May, 2023, as a result of withdrawal of fuel subsidy. But, despite this increased monthly allocations, not much is happening in some states.

This is why I join the NLC and NECA in commending the two state governments. Investment in human resource is a meaningful one and workers that are relatively comfortable should be able to put in more to justify their pay.

I have never believed, as labour does, that state governments must pay the same salary across the country. One, states are not equally endowed. Two, they operate in different economic milieus. While food and some other items are relatively cheap in some states, they are also relatively expensive in others.

But, the question now is; do Nigerian workers need as much as N70,000 or N90,000 or even N104,000 minimum wage to be happy? I don’t think so. Just that things have gone haywire.

In the 1970s, the N96 or so that school certificate holders in the country earned monthly then was always enough for people in that category. I remember I bought eggs at the then prestigious Kingsway Stores, even as a school certificate holder, not just because I worked there after my secondary education , but because then, meat pie at Kingsway (the equivalent of today’s Shoprite, etc), was sold in kobo (I think 25 kobo apiece) and its size doubled what now goes for the average meat pie in any reputable eatery of the same standard with Kingsway Stores then.

Even though Kingsway was an elite departmental store, it is unlike the Shoprites of today because many people, including school certificate holders, could go in there and have snacks, cold or hot beverages and coffee, electronics and what have you. Today, many graduates see the Shoprites only from outside, or even when they manage to enter, all they do is window-shop, hoping that someday before their time at this end would expire, they too would one day be able to walk in and out of the place, clutching something of substance, or having some people carry whatever they purchased from the place for them.

For many, the way things are structured, that may remain eternal pipe-dream unless and until some of the measures being taken by the government begin to yield results.

This is why I have always argued that labour leaders should insist on good governance. Not incessant wage increases.

But they would not listen. Today, workers have the wads of naira notes in their pockets but can only buy little with them. I was far better off with the N400 that I first earned as a graduate in 1985 than today’s graduates earning N150,000 per month.

A colleague who just returned from abroad told me that the price of a car he ordered a few years ago remains virtually the same today, but when it gets here, that is where the problem lies because of the exchange rate.

If Nigerian workers had been insisting on good governance, it is not unlikely that what is hitting us hard now would not have been this serious because there would have been incremental adjustments that would have made things easier for us to swallow now.

The truth of the matter is that what we call salary today, starting from the president down to the least paid worker, is ‘lie lie’ salary. How can our president be earning N1.5 million monthly? To do what? We need no one to tell us this is unrealistic. That of the National Assembly is even worse. Ask 100 members how much they earn monthly and you will get 100 different answers. Nigeria is probably the only place in the civilised world where such a matter of public concern is shrouded in secrecy.

I do not know in how many state capitals people earning N70,000 can live if they must enjoy electricity, pay school fees, spend on transport for a family of at least four, pay for medicals, and do other routine things.

Let nobody tell me we were able to enjoy most of these things before because they were being subsidised. Was the government also subsidising the bumper meat pies that we were eating then at Kingsway Stores? Was it subsidising the Hing’s singlet (unarguably one of the best brands then) that we were buying on the streets of the popular Balogun Market in Lagos at the time, for almost peanuts? Were they also subsidising the Peak Milk that some of us would always insist on, as against the Carnation and other brands that we considered inferior?

Come on, something is wrong somewhere. It is that thing we should find and fix. The Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) should get down to serious business and stop this unrealistic pay fixes.

It is because the National Assembly members are not comfortable with whatever the commission gave them that they found a solution to their wage problem through some other ingenious means. Recently, in spite of the economic challenges the poor are facing; they even mooted pay rise for themselves.

Meanwhile, lesser Nigerians have to cope with the miserably low pay the same National Assembly approves for them.

We need to do something about this lopsided, ‘lie lie’ wage structure before it does something to us because it is not just inequitable, it is ungodly. It is a recipe for tempting even people who do not know how to steal. It is only a matter of time before we start expanding our prisons because we would have cause to receive more prisoners; not prisoners by choice, but prisoners by societal injustice.

Professors earning N500,000 to N600,000 a month in this economy is scandalous? To do what? Many people would have stomached it if this is the general trend but a situation where conscientious workers cannot get commensurate reward whereas a few others cream off the resources at the expense of millions of others is unsustainable.

Many of us who disagree with Ajaero often do so not because we do not understand his point, but, first, because, we know some of his protests had beyond labour undertones. And, two, because contemporary labour matters should now be more of brain than brawn and ‘gra gra’. Ajaero does not seem to be ready to admit that labour leaders would be judged in the final analysis, not by the number of strikes they mobilised, but by the impact their tenure had on workers’ welfare.

Ajaero needs tutorials on how his forbears in the labour struggle, like the inimitable Pa Michael Imoudu, and indefatigable Hassan Sunmonu, did it so successfully.

One of the reasons some people get so much to steal from the public till is because we have too much idle funds all over the place. Otherwise, why would someone be able to steal the humongous amounts of money we used to hear (some would tell you public funds are still being stolen) running into multiples of millions and sometimes billions (as if these billions are Japanese Yen), without the country knowing until years after? Something must be wrong somewhere.

We may argue that the loopholes are being blocked, but the most important deterrence would be to punish those who pilfer our funds, to the full extent of the law. Often they don’t get their full comeuppance. Rather, they are given slaps on the wrist by allowing them to do plea bargain which allows them to return only a fraction of what they stole and keep the rest to themselves.

Unfortunately, while these people who stole more than their three generations require get this kind of soft treatment, the poor man that stole a goat or something because he is actually hungry gets years behind bars; sometimes with hard labour. No plea bargain. Well, as one of our former first ladies used to say, ”there’s God o.”

Nigeria’s ‘lie lie’ salary reminds me of an advert that newspapers used to carry some years ago. The ad had to do with a company that paid peanuts as salaries. At the head of its management was the lion calling the shots, flanked by other dangerous animals. Your guess is as good as mine as to what that company would turn out to be.

That is the Nigerian situation with regards to its wage structure. While I have no problem with some sectors earning extremely well because of the sensitive nature of their jobs, what is required, in my view, is a holistic review of wages for all such that every Nigerian will, like it used to be when we were growing up, be able to afford the basics, particularly food and shelter.

If for one reason or the other that is not feasible now, it should be on government’s pending priority list.

After all, as they say, “what is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander”.

September 7, 2025
Imo, Ebonyi pay rise: Govs under pressure to raise minimum wage
- Move by Southeast states commendable, says Ajaero
- Plateau: Don’t push government’s finances to the edge
- Taraba: No funds available for increment
- Implement current wage first – Enugu NLC
This week’s increase in the salary of public servants in Imo and Ebonyi States may have ignited a fresh wave of agitation for more pay in other states, according to feelers, yesterday.

Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, during a meeting with labour leaders in the state, on Tuesday, announced the approval of a new minimum wage of N104,000, which is N34000 above the national benchmark that came into effect this year.

The minimum wage of medical doctors rose from N215,000 to N503,000, while that of teachers in tertiary institutions went up from N119,000 to N222,000.

Ebonyi State government followed suit 24 hours later, topping its workers’ monthly salary with N20,000 across board.

The decision was taken at Wednesday’s meeting of the State Executive Council (SEC) in Abakaliki, and it takes immediate effect.

The Imo development was good news to the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President Joe Ajaero.

“It is real, and commendable,” Ajaero said on Thursday at the seventh quadrennial delegates’ conference of the National Union of Civil Engineering Construction, Furniture and Wood Workers (NUCECFWW).

Continuing, he said: “If the states have the capacity to pay N100,000 and above, and considering that Imo state is not the highest in terms of revenue, it then means others are encouraged to do more.

“That is the whole essence of minimum wage. Minimum wage is the least; states can do better. I think this is an initiative that other governors are supposed to follow.

Following the development in Imo and Ebonyi, the Edo State chapter of the NLC said, yesterday, that it would positively engage with the administration of Governor Monday Okpebholo, with a view to reviewing the minimum wage.

During the last May Day celebration, Governor Okpebholo had increased the minimum wage to N75,000.

Caretaker Committee Chairman of Edo NLC, Prof. Monday Igbafen, said there was nothing achieved for workers that was not a product of struggle.

Prof. Igbafen appealed to Edo workers to be patient and allow the union to engage with the state government.

He expressed optimism that the Governor would listen to them.

Information and Orientation Commissioner Paul Ohonbamu said the Governor has done a lot to improve the welfare of workers, citing the N1bn soft loan and payment of students’ bursary and increment of minimum wage as part of Okpebholo’s demonstration of commitment to workers’ welfare.

We are consulting widely on the issue – Bayelsa NLC

Chairman of the NLC in Bayelsa State, Simon Barnabas Bay, said the union would consult widely with stakeholders before engaging the state government for an upward review of salaries.

Reacting to the development in Imo and Ebonyi, Bay told The Nation that: “We have only just heard in the news what happened in Ebonyi and Imo states, but in Bayelsa, we are yet to start an engagement process with the government. I have not even got across to my colleagues there, the council will consult widely, then we will return to the drawing board.”

The Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to Governor Duoye Diri, Daniel Alabrah, was noncommittal on what might be the response of the state government to the action of the Imo and Ebonyi State governments, but he claimed that Bayelsa civil servants are amongst the highest paid in the country, next only to Lagos and Akwa Ibom states.

He said, “When the federal government mooted the idea and came out with a template, Bayelsa jacked its minimum wage to N80,000 and even implemented a 25% and 35% increase in salaries and its backlog to university lecturers and civil servants.”

No funds for increased minimum wage- Taraba HoS

The Head of Service (HoS) in Taraba State, Dr Ahmed Kara, said the state is not in a financial position to match the action of the Imo and Ebonyi state governments for now.

The state has no resources to increase salary, he said, in response to an inquiry from The Nation.

“I expected you to find out if the ongoing verification is over, and if there are any savings by the government? Is there a need to employ more?” he said, in a text message to our correspondent.

Kara added: “We implemented N30,000 and N70,000 minimum wages in 2024. Still battling with salaries due to scarce resources, and you are talking of new? If funds permit, why not? But where is the fund? Subvention or revenue?”

Also, the State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Peter Jediel, confirmed that he was aware of the latest increase in the two states but stated that they “have not done anything yet” about the matter.

No, please – Plateau

The Plateau State government said it does not want to be dragged to the edge on the issue at this time.

The Commissioner for Information, Joyce Ramnap, told The Nation by phone that another salary increase now was out of reach for the state government.

Read Also: Uzodimma raises minimum wage to N104,000 for Imo State workers

We want more money, says Abia NLC chairman

The Chairman of the NLC in Abia State, Comrade Okoro Ogbonnaya, said workers in the state have always ranked among the best paid in the southeast but would not mind a review of their present salary in view of the economic situation in the country.

He appealed to Governor Alex Otti to consider improving workers’ monthly salaries.

Some workers in the state described the governor as worker-friendly.

Anambra too

A similar demand came from the Anambra State chairman of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Chris Ogbonna.

He said, while the generality of the workers are happy with what he called Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s magnanimity, they would appreciate more money in their pockets.

“We’re like Oliver Twist, we need more,” he said.

Anambra currently pays N82,000 as minimum wage, and the Head of Service (HoS), Dame Okwy Igwegbe, has assured the workers that Governor Soludo will always do more for the people of the state with the right cooperation and at the right time

She said the labour unions, NLC and TUC, are like Siamese twins in Anambra, adding that the state government had been working closely with them.

We’re still where we were –Kwara NLC boss

The NLC Chairman in Kwara State, Comrade Saheed Olayinka Murtala, said yesterday that there was no signal yet from the state government on whether it was willing to emulate Imo and Ebonyi States.

“We are still where we were,” he told The Nation.

His Trade Union Congress counterpart, Olayinka Onikijipa, said: “I can’t say anything about it now. I just landed now in Ilorin since Monday when I left for Abuja.”

No plan for fresh review in Niger, says official

It appears, however, that the Niger State has no immediate plan to follow the Imo and Ebonyi example.

A top government official told our reporter in Minna that the state government has no plan to add to what it currently pays its workers.

Only a week ago, Governor Umar Bago said on television that the state pays N80,000 as minimum wage, which, according to him, is superior to what some other states pay.

Effect consequential adjustment in minimum wage first – Enugu NLC

For the Enugu State chapter of the NLC, its major wish is for the state government to implement the consequential adjustments of the new minimum wage for higher-grade workers.

Chairman of the NLC, Comrade Fabian Nwigbo, said the union’s priority was not just the new wage figure, but how it reflects across all salary structures.

“What is crucial to us is the consequential adjustment and the domestic servant allowance for deputy directors. These are the ones we’re currently discussing,” Nwigbo said.

“In some states, what they’re doing is to add ₦20,000 to ₦70,000 to make it ₦90,000. But the money will not reflect on what is paid to senior workers because there’s no consequential adjustment on the minimum wage payment.”

Nwigbo described the adjustment as a statutory entitlement, not a privilege.

“We don’t want a situation where it is only an addition that will be made without consequential adjustment. What we think is more attractive to us is the consequential adjustment. We will be okay with the current minimum wage if all these are taken care of,” he added.

The NLC chairman said the union remained open to dialogue and was confident that the state government would consider the concerns of all categories of workers in the final agreement.

Oyo labour leaders hopeful

Labour leaders in Oyo are optimistic that Governor Seyi Makinde will fulfil his promise earlier in the year to positively consider the N80,000 approved minimum wage.

The leaders commended the governor for what they described as ongoing massive employment across various sectors in the state, despite having one of the largest workforces in the country.

The NLC Chairman in Oyo State, Comrade Kayode Martins, commended the governor for his consistency in paying salaries by the 25th of every month.

He said the governor has set a lot of records and standards with the employment of workers, including teachers, non-teachers, medical workers, and even in the mainstream civil service.

He said, “Look at the massive employment across the various sectors, yet he hasn’t failed in payment of monthly salaries and entitlement. He was the one who set a standard by approving above the FG benchmark of the minimum wage.

“Aside from signing the minimum wage, he also promised us back then that he would review and reconsider the amount as soon as revenue improves and things get better. We are only appealing. He’s doing so much in terms of infrastructure, but we know he can still do more for workers, too, and we know he will.”

Speaking in the same tenor, his Trade Union Congress (TUC) counterpart, Comrade Bosun Olabiyi, said as a labour leader, what mattered to him was not just an increase in minimum wage but the implications of the consequential adjustments. He expressed optimism that the governor would not only consider a pay rise for the workers soon, but also allow it to cascade to others across the board.

The Chairman, Joint Negotiations Committee (JNC), Comrade Olanipekun Oluwaseun, said: “After Lagos, we pay the best salaries, not only in the region but in the country. We can only appeal to him (Governor Makinde) to please kindly consider us again, as the cost of items changes daily.

“If you look at the N80,000, everybody is complaining. We are only appealing because people can now see that the minimum wage does not have much purchasing power. We know he is a worker-friendly governor; he must have been considering doing something more for the workers here.”

When contacted, the Special Adviser to Governor Makinde on Labour Matters, Comrade Adebayo Titilola-Soodo, said, the state which just made the recent pronouncement just concluded negotiations, which Oyo had done earlier.

However, he expressed confidence that since some states are already raising the bar, it is expected that Governor Makinde may also consider towing the same path.

Titilola-Soodo said, “Well, I think the states just making the announcement may perhaps be those who have yet to conclude the negotiations, which Governor Seyi Makinde had done a long time ago.

“However, since some states have raised the bar, one would be optimistic that Governor Seyi Makinde, known for who he is and who would not let the workforce be below the bar, may also consider raising the bar; but time will tell.”

The current minimum wage of N70,ooo came into effect last year, following the signing of the bill to that effect on July 29, 2024, by President Bola Tinubu.

Before the signing of the bill, Tinubu told labour leaders, at a meeting, that the minimum wage law would be reviewed every three years.

Revenue allocation to the states has increased astronomically since the removal of oil subsidy in 2023.
August 30, 2025
Ebonyi increases workers’ minimum wage to N90,000

The Ebonyi government has announced an increment in the minimum wage of state civil servants from N70,000 to N90, 000.

The state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Chief Ikeuwa Omebe made the disclosure on Thursday while briefing newsmen on outcome of the state Executive Council (EXCO) meeting.

Omebe explained that the increasment was s to enhance workers’ welfare, saying that the implementation is with immediate effect and covers all categories of the workforce.

“We want to state categorically that this is not a political statement as this government does not toy with workers’ welfare.

“The government has offsets the pension and gratuities of state retirees from its creation in 1996 till date.

“The verification process for retirees in the Local Government Areas (LGAs) had commenced and when completed, the payment will be made,” he said.

Read Also: Uzodimma raises minimum wage to N104,000 for Imo State workers

He noted that if the government did not play politics with such huge financial obligations, it will not do so with additional N20,000 to workers.

“The governor is a leader, builder of capacity, human beings and infrastructure.

“The government is anchored on the biblical people’s charter of needs mantra which is leading the people according to their needs,” he said.

Omebe disclosed that the EXCO also considered implementation of the eighth-year tenure policy for directors and immediate retirement of those who have served for the period on the same cadre.

“The EXCO exhaustively deliberated on the issue and approved its implementation for the affected permanent secretaries and directors,” he said.

(NAN)

August 28, 2025
Uzodimma approves new minimum wage of N70,000

Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, has approved a new minimum wage of ₦70,000 for civil servants, positioning Imo among the few Nigerian states to implement such a significant wage increase amid rising economic pressures.

Announcing the development, Governor Uzodimma revealed a wide-ranging package of salary reforms and welfare initiatives aimed at improving the lives of public servants and pensioners in the state. The new wage structure takes immediate effect.

For civil servants already earning a consolidated salary of ₦70,000 or more, the state government has approved an additional 10% salary increment to promote equity and ensure broader impact.

“This is more than a wage increment,” Governor Uzodimma stated. “It is a commitment to restoring dignity to labour and ensuring that our public servants can live decent, productive lives.”

The Governor also reaffirmed his administration’s ongoing commitment to the payment of a 13th-month salary and confirmed that all pending promotions granted in recent years will now be fully implemented financially.

In a landmark move, the Governor introduced new welfare measures for pensioners, including free healthcare insurance to alleviate the financial strain on retirees. Additionally, the state has begun disbursing long-overdue gratuities dating back to 2006.

Over 5,700 retirees — comprising 2,962 from the local government and 2,742 from the state level — are expected to receive their entitlements in phased payments. Many have already received theirs, with the remainder to be paid in one or two instalments.

The reforms also extend to the Imo State Transport Company (ITC), where salaries were significantly increased in June 2025. Staff monthly pay was revised upward from ₦9,000–₦41,000 to ₦51,000–₦60,000, depending on grade level — a remarkable transformation for the once-neglected transport sector.

These latest measures build upon earlier initiatives taken by the Uzodimma-led administration. In July 2023, following the removal of fuel subsidies and resulting economic strain, the Governor approved a temporary wage increase to ₦40,000 alongside free transportation, medical care, and other social support for workers.

Reacting to the announcement, workers across the state expressed appreciation to Governor Uzodimma. The Chairman of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in Imo, Uchenna Ibe Great, praised the move as timely and commendable.

“It is quite commendable. We applaud the governor for this review. Since nobody told him to do it, he took it upon himself to do it. Despite all the problems confronting Imo State, he has taken time to consider the workforce. It is a good development,” Great said.

The TUC chairman also thanked the governor for prioritising pensioners, particularly the release of ₦16 billion for outstanding gratuities.

With these sweeping reforms, the Uzodimma administration continues to signal its commitment to the welfare of workers and retirees, amid ongoing national economic challenges.

“The governor has given the pensioners the opportunity to change their next of kin. This development will save people from too many court cases experienced in the past,” he added.

The governor emphasised that’s decision was not a result of pressure from the labour workforce, but rather a gesture of goodwill

Read Also: Uzodimma approves N104,000 minimum wage for Imo workers

“It was not pressure from the labour workforce that made the governor approve the minimum wage. We commend him for this gesture,” he said.

He described the wage increase as a victory for the entire workforce in the state, “no worker in Imo will say you (Uzodimma) have not been fair at least for this.”

At the state Secretariat along Owerri-Port Harcourt Road, jubilation galore erupted as workers celebrated the governor’s approval of the new minimum wage.

While some workers expressed cautious optimism, saying they would wait to see the implementation of the new minimum wage, others described the governor’s gesture as unexpected and sudden, welcoming the move as a positive development.

August 27, 2025
Nine countries with highest minimum wage in Schengen area

Minimum wages across Europe vary significantly, influenced by each nation’s cost of living, labour market conditions, and economic policies.

Within the Schengen area, some countries stand out for guaranteeing workers some of the most competitive minimum wages globally.

These nations not only reflect strong economic structures but also highlight efforts to ensure better living standards for employees.

Here are nine countries with highest minimum wage in Schengen area

1. Luxembourg – €2,638/month

Luxembourg tops the list of countries offering the highest minimum wage in Europe. This small but wealthy nation has a strong financial sector, high GDP per capita, and a cost of living to match. Its wage policy ensures that even low-income earners can maintain a decent standard of living.

2. Netherlands – €2,193/month

The Netherlands combines strong social protections with a competitive economy. Its high minimum wage helps sustain one of the best standards of living in Europe, with a focus on work-life balance and worker welfare.

3. Germany – €2,161/month

Europe’s largest economy backs its workers with a strong wage floor. Germany’s industrial strength, export power, and collective bargaining traditions help keep wages high while maintaining competitiveness.

4. Belgium – €2,070/month

Belgium offers generous social benefits alongside a high minimum wage. The country’s strong unions and coordinated wage-setting system ensure pay keeps pace with living costs.

Read Also: NLC opposes plan to remove minimum wage from Exclusive List – Ajaero

5. France – €1,802/month

The French SMIC (Salaire Minimum Interprofessionnel de Croissance) is reviewed annually to track inflation and productivity. This keeps France among Europe’s best-paying countries for low-wage workers.

6. Spain – €1,381/month

Spain has made substantial increases to its minimum wage in recent years, part of a broader push to reduce inequality and improve living standards, particularly in its service and tourism sectors.

7. Slovenia – €1,278/month

Slovenia leads Central and Eastern Europe in minimum wage levels. Its steady wage growth reflects the country’s stable economy and integration into the EU’s single market.

8. Poland – €1,091/month

Poland’s rapid wage growth is part of an economic strategy to retain skilled workers and attract investment. While still lower than Western Europe, the figure marks significant progress in just a few years.

9. Lithuania – €1,038/month

Lithuania’s economy has been expanding at one of the fastest rates in the EU. Its increasing minimum wage reflects efforts to boost domestic consumption and reduce the income gap with richer member states.

August 19, 2025
FG begins payment of N44,000 minimum wage arrears to ex-corps members

The Federal Government has commenced the payment of N44,000 minimum wage arrears to former members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

The commencement of the payment fulfills an earlier promise tied to the recent upward review of corps members’ monthly allowance from N33, 000 to N77, 000.

The payment applies to those who completed their service before the new allowance took effect earlier this year.

Former corps members have taken to X (formerly Twitter) to confirm receipt of the payment, expressing their gratitude and relief.

Read Also: How NOA mobilises NYSC members for civic rebirth

One user, @Kingpin_black1, posted: ”Thank you NYSC. Thank you President Tinubu. Nigeria will be great again.”

Another user @pharmacist_shezzy shared: ”44k don land. NYSC no carry last. God bless Nigeria .”

Similarly, @ifeoluwa_X wrote: ”Just got my alert. I almost deleted my NYSC account. Thank you FG.”

The payment, widely seen as a fulfillment of the government’s earlier pledge, has sparked excitement online, with many praising the move as a sign of renewed trust and accountability.

(NAN)

June 3, 2025
N70,000 minimum wage inadequate amid soaring living costs — Chemical workers’ union

The National Union of Chemical, Footwear, Rubber, Leather, and Non-Metallic Products Employees (NUCFRLANMPE) has described the current N70,000 minimum wage as grossly inadequate in the face of Nigeria’s rising cost of living.

Speaking with The Nation, the union’s President, Bolarinwa Sunday, said the economic hardship confronting both workers and industries is severe and rapidly worsening.

“The effects of these high costs are very real and damaging. It has forced many workers and Nigerians to cut down on essential items,” he stated.

Citing a personal example, Sunday said: “For instance, I’ve switched from buying liquid milk to powdered milk for my children. Many families are making similar adjustments.”

He also noted that industries are under significant pressure, struggling to cope with the ripple effects of inflation and declining consumer purchasing power.

Read Also: Minimum wage remains a promise on paper

He said, “Take DStv, for instance, there has been a significant drop in subscriptions. When people can’t afford basic services, industries lose revenue, and jobs are lost. If purchasing power continues to shrink, it’s only a matter of time before more companies fold up.”

Bolarinwa identified heavy dependence on imported raw materials as one of the major challenges in the sector.

“Almost everything we use is sourced from abroad. This makes us extremely vulnerable to fluctuating foreign exchange rates; one day it’s N1,400, the next N1,600. It’s hard for industries to plan. The unpredictability forces companies to pause operations while seeking fresh approvals from directors to adjust budgets. This hurts factory output and the sector’s overall performance,” he said.

Commenting on recent exchange rate adjustments, he added: “Frankly, we’re not where we should be. While it’s better than the chaos of last year, we must remember that just two years ago, the dollar exchanged for about N500. Today, it’s over N1,500. That’s a massive jump. True stability is yet to return. We continue to urge the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to bring rates further down, even if not to N1,000, at least to a more manageable level to ease pressure on industries and Nigerians alike.”

Bolarinwa urged the federal government to implement decisive measures such as tax holidays, production incentives, and industry-friendly policies.

“During my time in the cocoa industry, producers received up to 40 percent in annual production rebates. Policies like that kept industries alive and thriving,” he said.

He also highlighted electricity, logistics, and taxation as key obstacles.

“Industries need a dedicated electricity tariff to survive. We also require better roads and infrastructure to reduce logistics costs. If these issues are tackled seriously, existing multinationals will stay, and Nigeria could attract even more foreign investment.”

May 14, 2025