society
Broken Promises and Broken Backs: The ₦70,000 Minimum Wage Law and the Betrayal of Nigerian Workers
“Broken Promises and Broken Backs: The ₦70,000 Minimum Wage Law and the Betrayal of Nigerian Workers”
By George Omagbemi Sylvester
In a nation where the cost of living rises faster than hope, Nigeria’s workers remain the punching bag of economic mismanagement, political indifference, and institutional hypocrisy. It is nothing short of a national disgrace that almost a year after the Federal Government passed the ₦70,000 minimum wage into law in June 2024, only 16 out of 36 states have bothered to implement it. That leaves 20 states—more than half the federation—brazenly violating a law meant to protect the most vulnerable: local government workers, primary school teachers, cleaners, and support staff who keep the wheels of governance turning.
A Law Betrayed
The passage of the ₦70,000 minimum wage law was hailed as a necessary step to cushion the blow of the floating naira, spiraling inflation, and the withdrawal of fuel subsidies. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu signed the bill into law amidst fanfare and political grandstanding, declaring that “no worker in Nigeria should earn below a livable wage.”
Yet, in reality, those words have rung hollow. In states like Kogi, Bauchi, Zamfara, and even oil-rich Delta, the new minimum wage remains a cruel illusion. Workers still earn the outdated ₦30,000 or, in some cases, even less. Local government employees and primary school teachers in these states have become beggars in a country they serve diligently.
Economic Injustice in Broad Daylight
What exactly does ₦70,000 buy today? In 2025, ₦70,000 is barely enough to cover rent in most urban centers, let alone feed a family, pay for transportation, school fees, or basic healthcare. According to data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the average monthly cost of living for a Nigerian family of four is now over ₦180,000. So even the ₦70,000 wage—far from generous—is the barest minimum needed to scrape by.
Yet many state governments are dragging their feet, citing “inadequate funds” and “bureaucratic delays.” These are tired excuses from administrations that continue to waste public resources on bloated convoys, foreign trips, and frivolous allowances. Economist Dr. Bismarck Rewane, CEO of Financial Derivatives Company, remarked in a recent interview, “State governments crying about affordability should look inward. There is enough waste and duplication in their budgets to fund this minimum wage if fiscal priorities are restructured.”
Where is the Accountability?
It is important to ask: why are these states not being held accountable? The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has issued threats, organized protests, and released statements, but what has changed? Why has the federal government, which passed the law, not enforced it with the same zeal it uses to collect taxes or chase debtors?
It is yet another example of Nigeria’s selective enforcement of laws—one for the elites, another for the poor. If a citizen fails to pay taxes or utility bills, the system comes down hard. But when governments fail to obey a law passed by their own legislature, silence and complicity reign supreme.
Voices from the Ground
Workers across the 20 defaulting states are speaking up—but who’s listening? Mr. Musa, a local government clerk in Gombe State, says, “I have not been able to pay my children’s school fees since last term. They keep telling us they are ‘working on it.’ Since June last year? My salary is ₦28,000. What can I do with that today?”
Mrs. Onome, a primary school teacher in Edo State, adds, “They want us to teach with passion, but they don’t pay us enough to eat. The government talks about education reform while starving the educators.”
The Hypocrisy of Governance
This situation reveals a deeper malaise—Nigeria’s chronic hypocrisy when it comes to governance. Governors are quick to increase their own allowances, fund their re-election campaigns with public money, and host lavish state dinners, but suddenly become frugal when it concerns paying the minimum wage.
As respected economist Prof. Pat Utomi rightly put it, “A nation that fails to prioritize the welfare of its workers is a nation preparing for social implosion. Wage justice is not a luxury—it is a foundation for peace, productivity, and patriotism.”
Political Will or Political Wickedness?
Some states like Lagos, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and Enugu have implemented the new wage and are adjusting their budgets accordingly. This proves that implementation is not about resources—it’s about political will. The states that have refused to comply are not necessarily the poorest; they are the most irresponsible.
The Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) reports that all 36 states received an average of ₦60 billion each in federal allocations between July 2024 and March 2025. If even 10% of that allocation were directed toward wages, most states would easily meet the minimum wage threshold.
The Role of Civil Society and Media
Civil society organizations, labor unions, and the media must do more than issue statements. There must be coordinated action, legal battles, and naming-and-shaming campaigns. Let every Nigerian know which governors are breaking the law. Let them be exposed in every forum, from town halls to social media.
In the words of Femi Falana (SAN), “Workers must rise to defend their rights. When government disobeys the law, civil disobedience becomes duty.” Falana further suggested that workers should sue non-compliant states and seek judicial enforcement of the wage law.
A Call to Action
Enough is enough. This is not the time for diplomacy or patience. The Nigerian worker has endured decades of deception, delay, and disdain. We must demand a national audit of state compliance with the minimum wage law, backed by sanctions for erring states.
Let the governors who refuse to pay their workers feel the pressure. Let every non-compliant state be exposed. Let labor unions organize strategic strikes. Let civil society file class-action lawsuits. And let the international community take note that Nigeria cannot claim to be democratic while treating its workforce like slaves.
Conclusion: Justice Delayed is Justice Denied
The refusal of 20 states to implement the ₦70,000 minimum wage is not just an administrative failure—it is a betrayal of trust, a violation of human dignity, and a ticking time bomb. The poor cannot continue to subsidize the waste and luxury of the rich.
We cannot claim to build a prosperous future on the backs of underpaid, disrespected workers. If the government is serious about peace, progress, and productivity, it must start by paying its debts—starting with the most basic one: a fair wage.
And to those governors still playing politics with the lives of workers, remember this: history never forgets. Nigerians are watching, and justice may be slow, but it always arrives.
Uniqueness, Raw Talent, Creativity distinguishes Femi Trinity among Colleagues .
One of the famous Music Act making waves in the entertainment industry with dynamisms and ability to translate Songs into creativity is no other person than the famous Falade Oluwafemi aka Femi Trinity of Trinity Rhythmic band,
He is Good,Talented, Handsome, Creative and very humble to all his fans across the globe
He has created a niche for himself, therefore His name is now a household name in the entertainment world Particularly Fans and lovers of Live Bands.
Femi Trinity Talents to sing creative songs is beyond any ones imaginations, full of Power he has the ability to transfer any one from a stage of helplessness to a full stage of hope, his songs give hope, rethink, and melodious.
Without mincing words Femi trinity is a talent full of great unique experiences, His Christian choir background page way for him in the music industry and stands him out among his colleagues in the industry, when Femi Trinity sings, he takes full charge, releasing messages to all his fans and making sure they get the best of him at all times
The jeka a baa na owo e crooner recently shake the federal capital city of Abuja with the best of his songs along side his crew members, it was really a moment where Society meets music, it was never a dull moment,a fans who witness the show remarked
This is why I said Femi Trinity remains the best, heaven is just his starting point, he has a very big hidden Talent, when well exploited will make him a popular Music Act across the Globe,
If you want the best of Music, Femi Trinity is the talent that can give you good music for your money
Watch out for Part 2, more of Femi Trinity
Packaged by
Hon Babatunde Samuel Seidu
Youths Ambassador
society
Prophet Kingsley’s 2025 Prophecy Fulfilled: Pascal Dozie Dies, Army Smashes Oil Syndicates in Niger Delta
Prophet Kingsley’s 2025 Prophecy Fulfilled: Pascal Dozie Dies, Army Smashes Oil Syndicates in Niger Delta
In a stunning turn of prophetic accuracy, fiery Nigerian cleric Prophet Kingsley Aitafo, founder of Oneness in Christ, has seen two of his headline-grabbing 2025 prophecies come to pass — shaking both Nigeria’s business and oil sectors to their core.
Barely three months after releasing a chilling spiritual warning during his New Year prophecy service, two major predictions have unfolded in real-time: the death of a top business magnate and a massive crackdown on illegal oil operations in the Niger Delta.
BUSINESS TITAN FALLS: PASCAL DOZIE DIES A DAY TO 86TH BIRTHDAY
On April 8, Nigeria woke up to the heartbreaking news that Pascal Gabriel Dozie, founder of the defunct Diamond Bank Plc and former chairman of MTN Nigeria, had died at the age of 85 — just a day before his 86th birthday.
A legend in Nigeria’s banking and telecoms sectors, Dozie’s death comes eerily close to Prophet Aitafo’s January warning, in which he urged the nation to “pray for three Nigerian business magnates” because “they may hand over their empires and leave the scene” — a spiritual euphemism for death.
Dozie was celebrated as a visionary entrepreneur, having pioneered Diamond Bank in 1990 and later guiding MTN Nigeria during its transformative early years. His death, though peaceful, shocked the business community, which is still grappling with the implications of Prophet Aitafo’s uncanny foresight.
PROPHECY 2 UNFOLDS: ARMY STORMS NIGER DELTA, CRUSHES ILLEGAL OIL EMPIRES
In yet another jaw-dropping fulfillment of Aitafo’s forecast, the Nigerian Army’s 6 Division announced on Sunday that it had launched a high-impact crackdown on oil thieves operating in the creeks of the Niger Delta.
The operation, carried out between March 31 and April 6, led to:
43 arrests,
254,000 litres of stolen crude recovered,
14 illegal refineries dismantled, and
14 boats and several vehicles destroyed.
This followed Prophet Aitafo’s second prediction, in which he foresaw that “loopholes in the petroleum sector would be exposed” and warned of “illegal storage and refining activities coming to light.”
From Delta to Rivers State, the army’s operation uncovered vast bunkering syndicates. In Sapele, Delta State, a large site was raided with drums and tanks holding tens of thousands of litres of stolen products. Meanwhile, in Andoni LGA, Rivers, over 80,000 litres of stolen crude were confiscated.
“This is a clear sign that economic sabotage will no longer be tolerated,” said Lt. Col. Danjuma Jonah, the Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations.
WHO IS PROPHET KINGSLEY AITAFO?
Known for his blunt delivery and spiritual insight, Prophet Kingsley Aitafo has earned a reputation for accurate national prophecies. His 2025 predictions, initially dismissed by skeptics, have now drawn national attention.
“What the Spirit showed me was clear: some giants in business would depart, and darkness in the oil sector would be exposed,” Aitafo had declared during his 2025 prophetic release. “These are signs for the nation to awaken.”
Borno Losing Ground to Boko Haram: A Nation in Denial, a Governor in Distress
By George Omagbemi Sylvester
In a chilling cry that cuts through the numb silence of a weary nation, Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State has once again lamented the relentless assault of Boko Haram, warning that his state—once a bastion of resistance against terrorism—is gradually losing ground to the insurgents. His words are not only a cry for help but also a damning indictment of a nation that has normalized tragedy, desensitized itself to carnage, and continues to gamble with the blood of its citizens.
This is not a new story. It is the same tale of bloodshed, displacement, and despair—only now, it is resurfacing with greater urgency. In Governor Zulum’s own words, “The resurgence of Boko Haram in parts of Borno is deeply worrisome. We cannot continue to pretend that all is well.” These are not the empty complaints of a politician seeking attention. They are the warnings of a leader on the frontline, who sees firsthand what Abuja refuses to confront: the war against terrorism is far from over, and Nigeria is losing it—again.
A False Sense of Victory
In 2015, the All Progressives Congress (APC) rode to power on the back of promises to defeat Boko Haram, eradicate corruption, and stabilize the economy. A decade later, the group remains active, its factions—particularly the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP)—now more organized, more brutal, and more entrenched. In December 2020, the United Nations estimated that over 36,000 people had been killed in the conflict, with more than 2 million displaced in the Northeast. Those numbers have only grown, with over 11 million people now in need of humanitarian assistance in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe states as of 2024.
While successive administrations have claimed to have “technically defeated” Boko Haram, the ground reality paints a starkly different picture. Boko Haram continues to operate freely in parts of southern Borno, Sambisa Forest, and the Lake Chad Basin. Just last month, insurgents overran military positions in Guzamala and attacked communities in Gwoza, killing civilians and security personnel alike. These are not isolated incidents; they are coordinated, strategic offensives designed to reestablish territorial dominance.
Zulum: The Lone Voice in the Wilderness
Governor Zulum’s courage in speaking out deserves national commendation. Unlike many of his counterparts who wallow in silence or peddle the central government’s propaganda, Zulum has consistently challenged the federal security architecture, demanding more boots on the ground, better intelligence sharing, and genuine political will.
In April 2024, during a security meeting in Maiduguri, Zulum warned that Boko Haram fighters were regrouping and that displaced persons living in IDP camps could not return to their ancestral homes due to insecurity. “Our soldiers are overwhelmed,” he stated. “Without increased federal support, we risk losing everything we’ve fought for in the last 10 years.”
Indeed, Nigeria spends over ₦2 trillion annually on defense, yet the country remains one of the most terrorized in the world. According to the Global Terrorism Index 2024, Nigeria remains in the top 10 of countries most affected by terrorism. Despite enormous budget allocations, corruption, poor accountability, and bureaucratic incompetence have rendered Nigeria’s counterterrorism strategy toothless.
The Consequences of Failure
The implications of Borno losing ground to Boko Haram are staggering. First, it spells humanitarian catastrophe. Over 700,000 children in Borno State alone face severe malnutrition, and if access to remote areas becomes even more restricted, the death toll from hunger could soon rival that from bullets.
Second, it undermines national security. The resurgence of terrorism in the Northeast could embolden other armed groups in the Northwest and Northcentral—bandits, kidnappers, and separatist militias—thus plunging the country into further anarchy. In a nation already teetering on the edge, Borno’s descent into lawlessness could trigger a chain reaction of state failures.
Third, it discredits Nigeria’s international reputation. The country has received significant support from international allies, including the United States, the European Union, and the United Nations. Yet, donor fatigue is setting in. The world is growing tired of helping a government that appears unwilling—or unable—to help itself. Nigeria risks becoming the poster child of wasted aid and lost hope.
Abuja Must Wake Up
The federal government can no longer afford to downplay Zulum’s warnings. His alarm should prompt a total reevaluation of Nigeria’s security framework. The Nigerian Army, overstretched and under-equipped, cannot continue to bear this burden alone. There must be a comprehensive approach that includes:
Decentralization of Security: State policing and community defense structures must be legalized and properly regulated. The centralization of security under Abuja has failed. It is time to empower state and local authorities to take charge of their regions.
Intelligence-Driven Warfare: Technology, surveillance drones, and real-time intelligence must be the cornerstone of military operations. Boko Haram’s movements should not come as a surprise in the era of satellite monitoring and AI-powered tracking.
Cutting Off Financing: Boko Haram sustains itself through extortion, illegal taxation of farmers, and foreign funding. The Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) must be empowered to aggressively trace and freeze terrorist-linked accounts.
Rehabilitation and Reintegration: While military force is essential, so too is de-radicalization. The failure of Nigeria’s past reintegration programs stems from the absence of post-release monitoring, community engagement, and economic reinsertion. Ex-combatants must be tracked and employed, not released into the shadows.
Conclusion: A Nation at the Crossroads
Governor Zulum has laid bare the uncomfortable truth that many at the top are unwilling to hear: Borno is slipping, and with it, Nigeria is unraveling. This is not the time for political spin or cosmetic reforms. This is the time for radical honesty, brave leadership, and urgent action.
As citizens, we must amplify Zulum’s voice. As intellectuals, we must dissect the systemic failures that brought us here. And as a nation, we must decide: are we going to keep pretending that Nigeria is safe while Borno burns? Or are we going to rise, confront the monster of terror head-on, and reclaim our land?
History will not be kind to those who watched in silence while Borno bled. And if we fail to act now, the lament of Zulum today will become the requiem of Nigeria tomorrow.
-
Business6 months agoComprehensive Media Audit Shows Flutterwave, MTN Nigeria, and Bolt Outpacing Competitors in Media Engagement
-
Politics7 months agoTogether we can make Ewekoro a better local government’ — Sikiru Adesina Urges Party Leaders, Co-contestants
-
celebrity radar - gossips6 months agoHow Deji Adeyanju Secured The Release Of Speed Darlington
-
Politics6 months agoMy best is yet to come’ As Ambassador Adesina ‘Lanre Ogunsola affirmed at the APC APEX body, Obafemi Owode Local Government
