SUNTV Global Channel | September 4, 2026
African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate for the 2027 general election, Omoyele Sowore, has argued that Nigeria’s current N70,000 minimum wage is not enough for workers to meet their basic needs, insisting that even his proposed N500,000 minimum wage would be inadequate.
Sowore made the statement on Friday during an interview on Rapid FM in Rivers State while defending his proposal for a substantial increase in the national minimum wage.
The activist was responding to concerns that increasing workers’ salaries to N500,000 could worsen inflation by putting more money into circulation without a corresponding increase in productivity.
Sowore rejected the argument, saying Nigeria’s inflation is largely driven by the rising cost of production rather than workers earning higher wages.
“There’s nobody technically, or realistically, that can live on ₦70,000 a month, even a newborn baby,” he said.
He maintained that his proposed N500,000 minimum wage should not be viewed as excessive considering the current cost of living.
“Even the ₦500,000 I’m proposing, in my view, it’s too small,” Sowore said, arguing that the objective should be to ensure workers earn enough to meet their basic needs.
According to him, Nigeria is experiencing what economists refer to as cost-push inflation, which he linked to increasing electricity tariffs, transportation costs, imported goods and other production expenses.
Sowore specifically criticised the increase in electricity costs and the removal of the petrol subsidy, arguing that higher energy and transportation expenses have increased the cost of doing business and ultimately pushed up the prices of goods and services.
He also blamed the depreciation of the naira and Nigeria’s dependence on imported goods for worsening the situation.
The AAC candidate argued that the government should focus on reducing production costs instead of keeping workers’ wages low.
He called for measures to reduce electricity and transportation costs, arguing that cheaper production would make Nigerian businesses and locally produced goods more competitive.
Sowore also rejected arguments that higher wages should depend primarily on workers’ productivity.
He said employers and supervisors have a responsibility to ensure that workers perform their duties effectively, while employees should receive adequate compensation for the work they perform.
The presidential candidate further questioned the disparity between the earnings of ordinary workers and the expenses associated with political office holders.
He criticised what he described as excessive government spending, including large convoys, security votes and other costs associated with public officials.
According to Sowore, reducing the cost of governance could create more financial room for improving workers’ salaries and public services.
He also used the rising cost of food and transportation to illustrate his argument that N70,000 is inadequate for many Nigerian workers.
Sowore maintained that workers need sufficient income to afford food, transportation, accommodation, clothing and other basic necessities.
He insisted that the debate should not simply focus on whether government can afford a N500,000 minimum wage, but on whether Nigerian workers can realistically survive on their current earnings amid rising living costs.
He argued that cutting unnecessary government expenditure and reducing the cost of production could help create the financial space needed to improve workers’ welfare.
SUNTV Global Channel will continue to bring you the latest political and economic developments across Nigeria.
