Government workers in Ondo State have demanded an immediate upward review of their minimum wage from the current ₦73,000 to ₦256,950, citing the harsh economic realities facing Nigerians.
The demand was contained in a strongly worded letter addressed to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Ondo State Council and its affiliate unions.
Labour leaders argued that the existing wage structure no longer reflected the realities of daily survival, especially with the removal of fuel subsidy, double-digit inflation, and soaring costs of food, transport, healthcare, and housing.
“Your Excellency, Ondo State is not just any state; it is a critical contributor to Nigeria’s oil revenue. As such, it is unacceptable that its workers and pensioners continue to live under wages that do not reflect the state’s strategic and financial status,” the letter, signed by NLC Chairman Ademola Olapade and Secretary Akin Sunday, read in part.
The unions stressed that the state had the financial capacity to meet the proposed wage benchmark, noting that Imo and Ebonyi states had already reviewed their minimum wages upward to ₦104,000 and ₦90,000 respectively.
They further described the ₦256,950 figure as “a realistic reflection of prevailing economic indices and the minimum survival cost for an average family in Ondo State.”
The NLC urged the governor to immediately set up a negotiation committee to begin talks with labour, warning that any further delay could worsen tensions among workers.
“Governance must not only be about policies and projects but also about people’s welfare and ability to live dignified lives. A government that pays its workers and pensioners a just wage is a government that honours the social contract it holds with its people,” the statement added.
The Ondo demand comes amid a growing wave of agitation across Nigeria as states grapple with pressure from workers demanding a living wage.
In recent weeks, Imo, Ebonyi, and parts of the North have announced wage reviews, while the Federal Government faces criticism from organised labour over its reluctance to fix a uniform national minimum wage.
Observers warn that the Ondo development could set the tone for fresh industrial disputes if government fails to act swiftly. With the state’s large civil service population and its strategic role as an oil-producing state, negotiations are expected to be keenly watched both locally and nationally.
Governor Aiyedatiwa is yet to issue an official response to the workers’ demand.
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