Presidency says current wage no longer adequate as NLC insists workers face severe hardship under inflation

The Federal Government has announced plans to review Nigeria’s national minimum wage, acknowledging that the current ₦70,000 benchmark is no longer sufficient in light of rising inflation and cost of living pressures. The disclosure came on Thursday at the Good Governance Summit 2026 in Abuja, where Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, addressed labour leaders and policy stakeholders.

Gbajabiamila explained that the Tinubu administration introduced the ₦70,000 minimum wage in 2024 after raising it from ₦30,000 and shortening the review cycle from five years to three. However, he admitted that economic realities have since shifted dramatically. “The ₦70,000 wage, which was a milestone in 2024, must be honestly reassessed against today’s realities,” Gbajabiamila said at the summit.

This development follows sustained agitation by organised labour unions, particularly the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), which argue that surging food prices and utility costs have eroded workers’ purchasing power. Acting General Secretary of the NLC, Benson Upah, said: “The truth is that ₦70,000 is not sustainable under the present economic situation. Workers are under immense pressure.” The NLC has indicated it will formally engage government on new wage negotiations ahead of the statutory 2026 review deadline.

While government has not announced any new minimum wage figure or salary increment yet, Gbajabiamila assured that organised labour would be treated as a partner rather than an adversary when formal negotiations commence. He also urged union leaders to pursue dialogue instead of confrontation in pushing their demands. Any new minimum wage must be negotiated among government, employers and labour before being transmitted to the National Assembly for approval and presidential assent.

Some state governments have already moved beyond the national benchmark: Lagos and Rivers States currently pay ₦85,000 monthly (with Lagos previously announcing plans for ₦100,000), while Imo recently adopted ₦104,000. Other states like Bayelsa, Enugu and Akwa Ibom now offer ₦80,000 minimum wage to their workers. Nonetheless, many states still struggle to pay even the existing federal minimum.

With inflation rates above 33 percent according to recent National Bureau of Statistics data and continued naira depreciation against major currencies, many Nigerian families report spending over 90 percent of monthly income on basic food needs alone. The outcome of this next minimum wage negotiation is expected to shape living standards for millions of workers across all sectors nationwide.

Source: https://www.pulse.ng/story/fg-signals-review-of-naira70000-minimum-wage-amid-rising-cost-of-living-2026062613061628191

Tokunbo Wahab admits months of poor waste collection; Sanwo-Olu orders 24-hour evacuation and revives monthly sanitation

Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, has publicly apologised to residents over persistent refuse buildup across the state, acknowledging on Friday that waste collection had been “very bad” in the last three to four months. Speaking on Arise TV’s The Morning Show, Wahab said the government is taking urgent steps to address the backlog and overhaul Lagos’ waste management system.

Operational delays in recent months led to piles of uncollected refuse along major roads, street corners and drainage channels in Lagos, sparking widespread complaints from residents. Many Lagosians have taken to social media to express frustration about streets overflowing with rubbish and the public health risks associated with unattended waste. In response to the mounting outcry, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has directed sanitation agencies to begin round-the-clock evacuation of refuse from public spaces.

Wahab explained that the crisis stems from Lagos’ longstanding reliance on landfill dumping, which has become unsustainable as the city’s population continues to grow. He noted that major landfill sites such as Olusosun and Solous were once on the outskirts but are now surrounded by urban development. “We can’t sustain that. We don’t even have the land. If our total land mass is 0.4 percent of the country’s land mass, 3,355 square kilometres of land, it shows we must think outside the box,” Wahab said.

To permanently address these challenges, Wahab announced that Lagos is transitioning towards a circular waste economy. He highlighted ongoing investments in waste-to-energy projects, including a new biodigester facility at the Ecocircuit Centre for converting food waste into electricity and a larger plant expected to process about 4,250 tonnes of refuse daily. The commissioner added that these reforms are aimed at treating waste as a resource rather than something to discard.

The state government also revived its monthly environmental sanitation exercise in April—nearly a decade after it was suspended in 2016 following a court order. Officials say combining improved evacuation efforts with new processing facilities and regular sanitation will help tackle Lagos’ mounting refuse problem and support public health objectives moving forward.

Source: https://www.pulse.ng/story/lagos-waste-crisis-tokunbo-wahab-apologises-to-residents-over-months-of-poor-refuse-collection-2026062613235018772

Board reaffirms backing as KADIFF team briefs Abuja headquarters on plans to boost film industry opportunities

The National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) has restated its commitment to supporting the growth of Nigeria’s film sector following a courtesy visit by officials of the Kaduna International Film Festival (KADIFF) to its headquarters in Abuja. The meeting took place ahead of the next edition of the festival, scheduled for August 2026 in Kaduna State.

KADIFF’s delegation, led by Founder and Executive Director Israel Kashim Audu, visited NFVCB on Wednesday to formally inform the Board about ongoing preparations for the upcoming event and to seek institutional backing. The team outlined key aspects of the festival’s programming and vision, emphasising its role in nurturing local talent and providing platforms for filmmakers across Nigeria.

NFVCB, in response, assured the delegation of its continued support towards initiatives that promote capacity building and international exposure for Nigerian filmmakers. The Board noted that festivals like KADIFF play a significant role in highlighting indigenous stories and strengthening the creative economy within Kaduna State and beyond.

Audu stated during the meeting that KADIFF remains committed to creating new opportunities for both emerging and established filmmakers, adding that collaboration with regulatory bodies is vital for sustained industry growth. The Board highlighted that this partnership aligns with government objectives to expand cultural exports and increase Nigeria’s profile on the global stage.

With preparations underway, organisers said they would continue engaging stakeholders across public and private sectors to ensure a successful festival in 2026. NFVCB reiterated its readiness to provide guidance where necessary, while both parties expressed optimism that KADIFF would further position Kaduna as a centre for film excellence in North-West Nigeria.

Source: https://guardian.ng/life/film/nfvcb-backs-kadiff-ahead-of-august-2026-festival/