Lagos minimum wage demand rises as NLC calls for ₦150,000, citing high costs of living, after Imo and Ebonyi governments raised workers’ pay

Lagos minimum wage demand has intensified as the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Lagos State Chapter, called for a new minimum wage of ₦150,000 for state workers.

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Chairperson of the chapter, Mrs. Funmi Sesi, made the demand on Thursday, citing the recent wage increases announced by the Imo and Ebonyi state governments.

She noted that Lagos workers currently earn ₦85,000 as minimum wage but deserve a review in line with rising accommodation, transport, feeding, and utility costs in the state.

“The time has come for an upward review of minimum wage in Lagos,” Sesi said. “No one can blame Gov. Sanwo-Olu if he implements a higher wage, because we deserve a better package that reflects today’s economic realities.”

The NLC described the recent increases in Imo and Ebonyi as positive steps for Nigeria’s labour force and urged other states to follow suit.

Imo Governor Hope Uzodimma this week approved a new minimum wage of ₦104,000 for civil servants, up from ₦76,000. In Ebonyi, the government raised its workers’ wage from ₦70,000 to ₦90,000.

Sesi emphasized that Lagos, with higher living costs than many other states, must lead by example in improving workers’ welfare.