According to a report by Omoleye Sowore on X, on Thursday, May 28, 2026, political activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has declared that a minimum wage of N500,000 is not excessive for Nigerian workers, arguing that public servants across all sectors deserve compensation that reflects a genuine living wage.
His statement addresses the ongoing national debate over worker remuneration amid Nigeria’s worsening cost of living crisis.
“A minimum wage of N500,000 is not too much for Nigerian workers. Police officers, soldiers, teachers, doctors, nurses, and other public servants deserve a living wage and those in critical sectors must earn additional allowances for the risks, sacrifices, and essential services they provide,” Sowore stated, outlining his position on what he considers fair compensation for the country’s workforce.
Sowore’s call highlights the growing gap between current wages and the actual cost of sustaining a household in Nigeria, where inflation has eroded purchasing power dramatically over the past several years.
The current national minimum wage falls far short of what economists and labour unions say is needed for workers to meet basic needs including housing, food, transportation, and healthcare.
The activist specifically identified police officers, soldiers, teachers, doctors, and nurses as categories of workers whose contributions and personal risks warrant not only a higher base salary but additional allowances.
His framing positions the minimum wage debate as both an economic and moral issue, arguing that those who maintain national security, educate children, and save lives should not struggle financially.
Sowore’s N500,000 figure significantly exceeds what organised labour has demanded in recent negotiations with the federal government, placing his proposal at the more ambitious end of the spectrum.
The Nigerian Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress have historically pushed for increases that, while substantial, remain well below the figure Sowore is advocating for publicly….Read_More…