Nigeria News (Standard)
Gbajabiamila Signals Fresh Review of ₦70,000 Minimum Wage Amid Soaring Cost of Living
Presidency says current wage no longer adequate as NLC insists workers face severe hardship under inflation
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.
Nigeria News (Standard)
FCT Police Arrest Suspect, Recover Stolen Toyota Hilux in Abuja-Kaduna Operation
Swift action by Maitama Division leads to vehicle recovery; Police intensify stop-and-search at FCT borders
Swift action by Maitama Division leads to vehicle recovery; Police intensify stop-and-search at FCT borders
Police operatives from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command have arrested a suspect and recovered a stolen Toyota Hilux after the vehicle was reportedly driven from Abuja to Kaduna State. The incident occurred on 20th June 2026, with officers from Maitama Division responding minutes after the theft was reported in the Wuse II area of Abuja.
According to a statement by the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, Josephine Adeh, the Divisional Police Officer for Maitama, CSP Altine Daniel, received a distress call around 1:45 p.m. The complainant stated that the white Toyota Hilux, a 2014 model bearing registration number BWR 712 CV, had been parked at about 1:30 p.m. before it was discovered missing just four minutes later. An unidentified individual was seen driving it away.
In response, police formations across entry and exit points within the FCT were immediately alerted. Officers were instructed to mount stop-and-search operations and prevent any attempt to move the stolen vehicle out of Abuja. This swift coordination led to the eventual recovery of the Hilux in Kaduna State and arrest of a suspect linked to the theft.
The FCT Command’s proactive approach comes amid growing concerns over vehicle theft and other property crimes within Abuja and neighbouring states. The recent operation underscores ongoing efforts by security agencies to strengthen border surveillance and ensure prompt response to distress calls. Police have urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities in their communities.
While details about the identity of the suspect were not disclosed as at press time, police authorities assured that further investigations are underway and pledged to prosecute those found culpable. The opposition could not be immediately reached for comment regarding this latest breakthrough by security agencies.
Source: https://guardian.ng/news/nigeria/metro/fct-police-nab-suspect-recover-stolen-toyota-hilux/
Nigeria News (Standard)
Katsina Police Foil Cattle Rustling in Jibia LGA, Recover 20 Stolen Cows
Joint operation with local vigilantes follows armed attack on Korama Mai Zurfi community, police urge residents to support security efforts
Joint operation with local vigilantes follows armed attack on Korama Mai Zurfi community, police urge residents to support security efforts
Police in Katsina State have successfully thwarted an attempted cattle rustling operation and recovered 20 stolen cows at Korama Mai Zurfi village, Jibia Local Government Area. The incident occurred on Wednesday, June 26, when armed men attacked the rural community and rustled livestock belonging to residents.
According to a statement released by the Police Public Relations Officer for Katsina Command, DSP Abubakar Aliyu, officers from the Jibia Division responded swiftly after receiving a distress call around 2:40 pm. The police team, working in collaboration with local vigilante groups, moved to intercept the bandits and secured the recovery of all rustled animals.
Cattle rustling remains a major concern for communities in Katsina and other parts of Nigeria’s North-West geopolitical zone, where recurrent attacks by armed groups have disrupted farming activities and heightened insecurity. The prompt response by security agencies is seen as critical to rebuilding trust among affected communities and safeguarding rural livelihoods.
DSP Aliyu commended the synergy between law enforcement officers and vigilantes in the successful recovery. He also appealed to members of the public to provide timely intelligence that can help prevent further incidents. “We encourage residents to continue giving actionable information that will assist police efforts against criminal elements,” he said in his official statement.
While no arrests were announced in connection with Wednesday’s incident as at press time, police authorities reiterated their commitment to sustaining patrols and rapid response initiatives across Katsina State. The opposition could not be immediately reached for comment regarding ongoing security challenges in the region.
Nigeria News (Standard)
Nollywood Star Joseph Momodu Completes US Army Training After Relocating from Lagos
Actor cites late father’s police service as inspiration; joins growing list of Nigerian entertainers enlisting in US military
Actor cites late father’s police service as inspiration; joins growing list of Nigerian entertainers enlisting in US military
Nollywood actor Joseph Momodu has completed Basic Combat Training with the United States Army, marking a significant career change after relocating from Lagos to the US. The development was made public by Momodu on Wednesday, who explained that his decision was motivated in part by a desire to honour his late father, a former officer in the Nigeria Police Force.
Momodu, whose full name is Abubakar Sadiq Momodu, spent more than ten years in Nigeria’s film industry, earning credits in popular movies such as ‘Coming to Nigeria’, ‘Play 2 Kill’, and ‘A Fool for Trust’. He also featured in long-running TV series like ‘Tinsel’, ‘Soul Sisters’, and ‘The Johnsons’, and gained wider attention after appearing in Simi’s music video for ‘Joromi’. The actor twice won Best Body Male at the Africa Movie Academy Awards, in 2018 and 2019.
His enlistment comes amid a trend of Nollywood personalities seeking new opportunities through military service abroad. In December 2024, actress Princess Chineke joined the US Army after relocating, stating on Instagram that she had answered “the call of service to my country, to serve the people of the United States of America.” Mayowa Dosu, another Nollywood actress and producer known for works such as ‘Fears’ and ‘Compromise’, also announced her enlistment around the same period. Meanwhile, Grace-Charis Bassey (formerly Belinda Effah) joined the US Navy in May 2025 and was granted citizenship after completing boot camp. Bassey dedicated her service to her late father, a former naval commander.
These developments highlight a growing pattern among Nigerians abroad who are turning to military careers as pathways to new professional experiences and citizenship. The news has drawn significant attention from Nigerian fans who followed these entertainers’ careers before their transition into military service.
With Momodu’s move now confirmed, he stands as one of the first male Nollywood actors to publicly make this shift. While some observers view this as evidence of changing aspirations among Nigerian creatives overseas, official reactions from industry associations have not yet been issued as at press time.
Source: https://www.pulse.ng/story/joseph-momodu-joins-us-army-2026062615020152117
FCT Police Arrest Suspect, Recover Stolen Toyota Hilux in Abuja-Kaduna Operation
Katsina Police Foil Cattle Rustling in Jibia LGA, Recover 20 Stolen Cows
Nollywood Star Joseph Momodu Completes US Army Training After Relocating from Lagos
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