Ondo Labour Calls for Minimum Wage Hike to ₦256,950 Amid Rising Cost of Living

Organised labour unions in Ondo State have formally petitioned Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to raise the current minimum wage from ₦73,000 to ₦256,950, citing economic hardship and escalating living costs.


In a letter dated 19 September 2025 and signed by the Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Ondo State Council, Ademola Olapade, and State Secretary Akin Sunday, the unions noted that inflation, currency devaluation, subsidy removals, and soaring prices for essentials such as food, housing, health care and transportation have rendered the existing wage “unsustainable”.


They also argued that as an oil-producing state, Ondo has benefited from higher internally generated revenue (IGR) and federal allocations, and therefore should lead in improving wages rather than lag behind. The labour unions reminded the government of earlier commitments to review workers’ welfare whenever there is “an upward shift in the state’s revenue profile.”


The unions are also demanding an upward review of pension benefits for retirees in the state.


To negotiate the proposed increase, the unions urge the constitution of a negotiation committee comprising government and labour representatives.

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