Business
Experts Criticize New N70,000 Minimum Wage as Insufficient Amid Economic Strain
Economists and political analysts have expressed significant concern over the recently approved minimum wage of N70,000 for Nigerian workers.
In interviews conducted with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abakaliki, these experts criticized the amount as insufficient given the country’s current economic challenges.
On Thursday, President Bola Tinubu approved the N70,000 minimum wage for civil servants, with a commitment to review this amount every three years.
Despite this commitment, Mr. Collins Anike, an economist, argued that the newly approved wage falls short of addressing workers’ needs and does not fully reflect the economic realities faced by the public.
He acknowledged the President’s intention to revisit the wage periodically but emphasized that the initial amount should have been set higher to better align with the demands of the populace.
Political analyst Mr. Titus Ezeh echoed similar sentiments, urging the government to undertake a comprehensive review of key economic sectors.
He highlighted the need for adjustments in areas such as inflation control, energy tariffs, and food security. Ezeh stressed that addressing these issues is crucial to alleviating the financial strain on the general population.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Regina Agbo, a petty trader, voiced her concerns about the adverse effects of increased electricity tariffs on small businesses and the broader economy.
She pointed out that the rising costs of production and the escalating prices of goods have created significant difficulties for businesses and the economic system at large.
The discrepancy between the government’s approved minimum wage and the demands of the organized labor is notable.
While organized labor had proposed a minimum wage of N250,000, the government and the private sector had recommended a lower figure of N62,000.
This gap highlights the ongoing debate over fair compensation and the need for economic policies that better support workers amidst prevailing economic conditions.
MTN has moved closer to acquiring IHS Holding, following shareholder approval of the proposed takeover, marking another major milestone in the transaction.
The approval was secured during the Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) held on 4 August, allowing the deal to progress to the next stage.
If completed, the acquisition is expected to strengthen MTN’s infrastructure capabilities by giving the company greater control over its telecommunications tower assets. Industry analysts believe the move could improve network efficiency, reduce long-term operating costs, and support MTN’s continued expansion across its markets.
The transaction is still subject to regulatory approvals and other closing conditions before it can be officially completed.
Nigeria’s three biggest cement manufacturers—Dangote Cement, BUA Cement, and HBM Nigeria—generated a combined ₦3.2 trillion in revenue during the first half of 2026.
The strong performance was driven by higher cement prices, increased demand from housing and infrastructure projects, and higher sales volumes across the country.
Compared to the same period in 2025, the companies recorded 26.5% revenue growth, showing that Nigeria’s construction sector continues to expand despite economic challenges. The companies also reported stronger profits and are investing further to increase production capacity to meet future demands.
Nigerian fintech company OPay has introduced new security features to improve the safety of its application.
The company unveiled the Emergency Lock and Safety PIN features to give customers better control over their funds and provide added protection against fraud and unauthorized transactions.
The Emergency Lock feature allows customers to instantly freeze their OPay account with a single tap whenever they sense a threat or believe their account may be at risk.
The newly launched Safety PIN introduces an additional layer of security, helping customers protect themselves in situations where they may be forced to make a transfer or payment against their will.
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