Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has voiced strong opposition to the recently approved N70,000 minimum wage, arguing that it falls significantly short of meeting Nigerian workers’ essential needs such as transportation, food, and housing.
In his newly released book, Nigeria: Past and Future, Obasanjo did not hold back in his criticism of labour leaders, accusing them of prioritising personal ambitions over the collective welfare of the workers they represent.
“The minimum wage does not even cover transportation costs for some workers, let alone food, housing, and family upkeep,” he wrote, underscoring the financial strain many Nigerian workers continue to endure.
In Chapter 17 of the book, the former President expressed concern over the decline of labour leadership, stating that workers have been left at the mercy of individuals more focused on personal political gains.
“Workers need more attention than they are getting. It is their right, and they have been denied it for too long. They have become victims of those meant to protect their interests,” he wrote.
Obasanjo further questioned the integrity of some union leaders who, while still in office, negotiate political deals for their future aspirations rather than genuinely advocating for workers.
“How did it happen that a trade union leader, while in office, was negotiating with a political party to be adopted as a gubernatorial candidate?” he asked, pointing to what he described as a conflict of interest that undermines workers’ rights.
He lamented that union leaders have become ineffective compared to the vision of the founding fathers of the labour movement, often using their influence to secure personal benefits.
“The workers thereby become victims of selfish leaders who use their positions to achieve political heights.
“Rather than negotiate in the interest of the workers, they do sabre-rattling and they are called into the room and money in large amounts is stuffed into their hands and they keep quiet.
“That has been the case since 2015. And, if anything, it is going from bad to worse,” Obasanjo stated.
He also condemned government officials who openly admit to paying off labour leaders to silence agitation.
“How do we explain a senior official close to the President saying, ‘We have paid them to keep quiet and stop agitating’?”
Obasanjo argued that such corrupt practices prevent meaningful contributions from unions and leave workers demoralised.
“What contributions are such labour leaders and their unions making to the country’s progress? You do not get the best from a frustrated and depressed worker,” he wrote.
While recognising the right of individuals to pursue political ambitions, Obasanjo stressed that labour leaders should not use their positions as stepping stones into politics.
He called for a law mandating a five-year waiting period before ex-union leaders can enter politics to prevent conflicts of interest.
President Bola Tinubu signed the N70,000 minimum wage bill into law on July 29, 2024, following extensive negotiations with labour unions and the private sector, which concluded on July 18.
The new wage replaced the previous N33,000 minimum wage, which had been in effect since April 18, 2019, under former President Muhammadu Buhari.
