Reno Omokri, a prominent socio-political analyst and writer, has called on the Nigerian government to consider adopting the American multiple minimum wage system.
Omokri made this suggestion on Saturday via his official X account, reacting to the recent declaration by the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) that state governors cannot afford to pay a minimum wage of N60,000.
The NGF’s stance emerged amid ongoing negotiations over a new minimum wage, with the federal government committing to a wage higher than N60,000.
The Tripartite Committee on Minimum Wage revealed on Friday that the federal government proposed a minimum wage of N62,000, while organized labor reduced its initial demand from N494,000 to N250,000.
Meanwhile, the Organised Private Sector (OPS) had earlier agreed on a minimum wage of N60,000.
In light of these varying proposals, Omokri argued for a more flexible approach to the minimum wage structure.
He suggested that Nigeria should emulate the United States by implementing a system where there is a federal minimum wage, complemented by individual minimum wages set by each state.
“Since the governors have said they cannot afford N60,000 as minimum wage, then, instead of a unified minimum wage, why can’t we do as the Americans, and have multiple minimum wages?” Omokri questioned.
“One federal minimum wage and 36 minimum wages, each state having theirs. That will be one small step for workers and a giant step for true federalism. Because, in truth, why should poor states be forced to pay the same minimum wage as wealthier states, like Lagos, Rivers, and Akwa Ibom?”
He further elaborated on the disparity in economic resources between the federal government and various states, drawing an analogy to the private sector.
“It is like saying all of us must pay our drivers the same amount that Dangote pays his chauffeurs. All fingers are not equal, and all states are not at the same level,” Omokri added.
Nigeria’s current minimum wage was last adjusted in April 2019 to N30,000. As the five-year period mandated by law comes to an end, the country is due for a new minimum wage.