Hon. Olugbenga Edema, an APC governorship aspirant in Ondo State, has voiced his support for a substantial increase in the minimum wage, stating that workers should not settle for the current N70,000 minimum wage. In a statement released in Akure, the state capital, Edema commended workers for their hard work and dedication, emphasizing the need for a higher minimum wage to enhance their standard of living.
Edema, a former Chairman of the Ondo State Oil Producing Area Development Commission (OSOPADEC), and a representative on the governing board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), proposed that the minimum wage should be raised to no less than N250,000 per month, calculated at the rate of N1,250 to a dollar. He argued that this increase is essential to align with economic realities and provide workers with a decent standard of living.
Reflecting on past wage increases, Edema noted that the minimum wage in Nigeria has not kept pace with inflation and the rising cost of living. He emphasized the importance of ensuring workers' welfare by setting a minimum wage that reflects current economic conditions, citing previous wage adjustments and the need for urgent action to honor the demand for a new minimum wage.
Edema concluded by stressing the need to prioritize the well-being of workers and provide them with a wage that allows them to meet their basic needs and live comfortably.
