Atiku Knocks Tinubu’s Economic Reforms, Demands Immediate Minimum Wage Increase

ABUJA, Nigeria—Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar has demanded an immediate, substantial increase to the national minimum wage, accusing President Bola Tinubu of overseeing an economic squeeze that has left Nigerian workers living on less despite nominal pay increases.

In a statement issued by Phrank Shaibu, the Director of Strategic Communications for the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Atiku criticized the administration’s economic policies. He argued that the removal of the petrol subsidy was executed without adequate protections for working families, causing the costs of food, transportation, and rent to outpace earnings.

According to Atiku, the current N70,000 monthly minimum wage fails to match the purchasing power workers held prior to recent economic shifts.

The statement highlighted that at a petrol price of N1,400 per litre, the full monthly minimum wage buys only 50 litres of fuel. By comparison, Atiku noted that under the April 2023 national average petrol price of N254.06 per litre, the former N30,000 minimum wage could purchase approximately 118 litres.

The ADC candidate further argued that Nigeria’s wage floor lags behind several other African economies.

Citing exchange rates from July 2024, the statement compared Nigeria’s N70,000 minimum wage to the converted monthly minimums of Libya (N213,000), Algeria (N245,000), Equatorial Guinea (N302,000), and Gabon (N351,000), noting that Benin Republic’s wage floor also stood higher.

Atiku challenged the presidency to conclude ongoing discussions with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and implement a wage structure that reflects the real costs of living. He urged the government to act swiftly rather than prolonging negotiations, stating that workers should not have to endure further financial strain during the remainder of the administration’s term.

Atiku pledged that if elected, his administration would prioritize raising the wage floor from his first day in office in May 2027.

He outlined a policy framework aimed at supporting domestic production, lowering pump prices through targeted production subsidies, and providing relief to families affected by the cost-of-living crisis.

The presidency has previously defended its economic reforms, including the subsidy removal and unification of the foreign exchange windows, as painful but necessary steps to prevent economic collapse and reallocate resources toward critical infrastructure and social welfare programs.