The Lagos State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called for an increase in the state’s minimum wage to ₦150,000, citing the rising cost of living and recent wage hikes in Imo and Ebonyi States.
The demand was made on Thursday by Lagos NLC Chairperson, Funmi Sesi, who referenced the wage adjustments in the two states as a step in the right direction.
According to Sesi, Lagos workers currently earn a minimum wage of ₦85,000, which falls short of meeting the state’s high expenses on housing, transportation, food, and utilities.
“It’s time for an upward review of the minimum wage in Lagos. At least someone has taken the lead,” she said. “No one can fault Governor Sanwo-Olu if he approves a higher wage now—we deserve better pay and decent working conditions that reflect the economic realities, especially here in Lagos.”
She expressed hope that other state governments would follow the example set by Imo and Ebonyi.
Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma recently increased the minimum wage for civil servants from ₦76,000 to ₦104,000. At the same time, the Ebonyi State Government increased its workers’ minimum wage from ₦70,000 to ₦90,000, according to the state’s Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Chief Ikeuwa Omebe.
