“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 Workers still earn the outdated ₦30,000 or, in some cases, even less.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,

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Watch out for Part 2, more of Femi Trinity

Packaged by
Hon Babatunde Samuel Seidu
Youths Ambassador

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.”