Atiku made the remarks in a statement issued on Sunday by his spokesperson, Phrank Shaibu. His comments focused on the relationship between workers’ wages and the rising price of petrol, food, transportation and other essential expenses.
Atiku Compares N30,000 and N70,000 Minimum Wages
According to Atiku, when Nigeria’s minimum wage was N30,000, it could purchase approximately 118 litres of petrol based on the petrol price he referenced at the time.
He said the current N70,000 minimum wage, at a petrol price of N1,400 per litre, can purchase only about 50 litres of petrol.
Atiku used the comparison to argue that the increase in the nominal minimum wage has not translated into a similar increase in workers’ purchasing power.
At N1,400 per litre, N70,000 divided by N1,400 equals exactly 50 litres.
Recent reports have also placed petrol prices around or above N1,400 per litre in parts of Nigeria, although pump prices vary by location and filling station.
Atiku Calls for Higher Minimum Wage
Atiku argued that workers are facing increasing pressure from the cost of food, accommodation, transportation and energy.
He questioned how workers earning N70,000 monthly could meet basic household expenses after paying for transportation and other necessities.
He also compared Nigeria’s minimum wage with wage levels in some other African countries, arguing that Nigerian workers receive lower wages in naira-equivalent terms.
These comparisons form part of Atiku’s argument for a further review of the national minimum wage.
Labour Has Also Called for Higher Wages
The debate over the adequacy of the N70,000 minimum wage has extended beyond opposition politicians.
Organised labour and groups representing workers have continued to demand measures to protect workers’ purchasing power as the cost of living changes.
Recent reports said civil servants had proposed either a N500,000 minimum wage or a reduction of petrol prices to N500 per litre as part of their demands.
Keyamo Says N70,000 Wage Is No Longer Adequate
Interestingly, Aviation and Aerospace Development Minister Festus Keyamo also recently acknowledged concerns over the purchasing power of the N70,000 minimum wage.
Speaking at the 2026 National Pre-Retirement Summit, Keyamo said the current wage had been affected by rising economic pressures and called for an upward review.
He also urged the Federal Government to engage with organised labour over workers’ welfare and wage issues.
The N70,000 national minimum wage was introduced in 2024, replacing the previous N30,000 minimum wage after negotiations involving the Federal Government, organised labour and the private sector.
Rising Fuel Prices Remain a Major Concern
The latest debate comes as petrol prices have risen substantially in parts of the country.
Reuters reported in September 2026 that petrol had reached approximately N1,400 per litre in Lagos and Abuja, with prices reaching about N1,500 per litre in some northern locations. The report linked the recent increase partly to higher global crude oil prices.
The increase in fuel prices has implications for transportation costs and household expenses because petrol is widely used directly and indirectly across the Nigerian economy.
Atiku's Position on the Minimum Wage
Atiku's latest comments are part of his broader criticism of the economic policies of President Bola Tinubu's administration.
He argued that workers need a wage that reflects prevailing living costs and called for an immediate increase in the national minimum wage.
His comments should be understood as the position of an opposition presidential candidate and former vice-president, rather than an independent assessment of the government's economic performance.
The government, meanwhile, has also acknowledged concerns about the adequacy of the current wage. Keyamo's recent comments indicate that discussions around wages and workers' purchasing power remain an active policy issue.
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