Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has called on President Bola Tinubu to increase Nigeria’s minimum wage, arguing that the current N70,000 wage floor has been eroded by rising petrol and living costs.

Atiku, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, also backed organised labour’s demand for a substantial increase in workers’ pay.

In a statement issued by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communications of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Atiku blamed the removal of petrol subsidy for worsening economic pressure on workers.

He argued that while the minimum wage rose from N30,000 to N70,000, workers’ purchasing power had declined because of higher fuel, transport, food and other living costs.

“At ₦1,400 a litre, the entire ₦70,000 monthly minimum wage buys just 50 litres of petrol,” Atiku said, asking what would remain for workers to spend on food, rent and transportation.

He compared the situation with April 2023, when the national average petrol price was N254.06 per litre, saying the then N30,000 minimum wage could purchase about 118 litres.

Atiku also compared Nigeria’s minimum wage with those of other African countries. Using exchange rates from July 24, 2026, he put the equivalent monthly minimum wages at about N213,000 in Libya, N245,000 in Algeria, N302,000 in Equatorial Guinea and N351,000 in Gabon.

He acknowledged that wage structures and living costs differ from country to country but maintained that N70,000 was inadequate for Nigerian workers facing current prices.

He said higher petrol prices affect more than transportation because increased energy and logistics costs feed into the prices of food and other essential goods.

Atiku therefore urged the Tinubu administration to agree to a substantial increase in the minimum wage to reflect the rising costs of food, transportation, rent and electricity.