Ondo Workers Demand ₦256,950 Minimum Wage as Inflation Bites Hard

Workers in Ondo State are mounting fresh pressure on the government to review the current minimum wage, demanding an upward adjustment from ₦73,000 to ₦256,950. The demand, presented through a formal letter to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, reflects growing frustration among public sector employees who say their wages have been outpaced by inflation and rising living costs.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) state council and its affiliate unions argue that the existing wage is no longer realistic in an economy still reeling from subsidy removal and the surge in prices that followed. They say workers are struggling to meet basic needs such as food, housing, healthcare, and transportation, a situation that is pushing many households deeper into financial distress.

According to the labour unions, Ondo is not just any state but a key contributor to Nigeria’s oil revenue and should not lag behind in paying its workers a wage that reflects its financial capacity. They insist that the state has the resources to meet the demand, pointing to Imo State’s recent decision to approve a ₦104,000 minimum wage as proof that higher wages are possible.

Beyond workers’ salaries, the NLC also called for the inclusion of pensioners in any review process, arguing that those who had dedicated their working lives to public service deserve a dignified retirement. “Governance must not only be about infrastructure and policies but also about the welfare of the people who keep the system running,” the union stated in its letter.

The demand comes at a time when inflation is at record highs, with the price of staples such as rice, beans, and garri doubling in the past year. Transport costs have also soared, with intercity fares rising by more than 50 percent since fuel subsidies were scrapped in 2023. Economists warn that without wage adjustments, states risk lower productivity as workers struggle to cope with the rising cost of survival.

Labour leaders are therefore calling for urgent action, proposing that Governor Aiyedatiwa immediately constitute a negotiation committee that will include labour representatives, government officials, and independent observers. They argue that failure to address the issue could result in protests or strikes that would disrupt government activities and service delivery.

The Ondo NLC is not alone in its push for wage review. Several state chapters of the union across Nigeria have in recent months tabled fresh demands for higher wages, citing the economic hardship faced by workers. The federal government has also hinted at plans to unveil a new national minimum wage, but negotiations have been slow, with states expressing concerns about their ability to pay.

For Ondo workers, however, waiting is no longer an option. They argue that the proposed figure of ₦256,950 is not arbitrary but a realistic reflection of today’s economic realities. Labour officials say the figure was calculated based on prevailing costs of food, housing, healthcare, transportation, education, and other essentials.

Political analysts note that how Governor Aiyedatiwa responds to this demand could shape his popularity ahead of the next election cycle. Meeting the workers halfway could win him goodwill, while outright refusal or prolonged delay might embolden the unions to embark on industrial action, a scenario that could paralyse the state’s civil service.

As the situation unfolds, attention will be on whether the state government opens negotiations soon or maintains silence. With other states like Imo already taking the lead in wage reviews, labour watchers believe Ondo may have little choice but to engage the unions and work out a phased or structured payment plan to avoid confrontation.

For now, the workers remain resolute. Their message is clear: wages must reflect the cost of living, and any delay in adjusting them will only worsen the economic strain on families. The coming weeks may determine whether Ondo becomes the next state to adopt a new wage structure or becomes the latest flashpoint in Nigeria’s growing labour agitation.

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