By John Moses
The National Forum of Heads of Federal Government Establishments (NAFOHEADS) in Nigeria has declared that the current national minimum wage of ₦70,000 has become unsustainable, citing the adverse impact of inflation and the rising cost of living on workers’ welfare.
Speaking at an inter-denominational service in Osogbo to commemorate the 2025 African Civil Service Week, Mr Samuel Adekunle, Chairman of NAFOHEADS in Osun State, said the real value of the wage had been eroded since its implementation in September 2024.
“The ₦70,000 minimum wage has lost its purchasing power due to the persistent rise in the cost of goods and services,” Adekunle told Newsmen. “It no longer reflects the economic reality faced by workers across the country.”
Adekunle, who also serves as the Curator of the National Gallery of Arts, urged the federal government to urgently review the national minimum wage to ensure that it aligns with current economic conditions. He warned that continued inflation without wage adjustments would worsen the hardship civil servants face.
He added that the purpose of the inter-faith service was to seek divine intervention for civil servants and to pray for the progress of the nation. The ceremony formed part of a series of events marking Civil Service Week, themed “Federal Civil Service and Sustainable Development in a Developing Economy.”
Adekunle emphasised that civil servants remain a critical engine of national development and deserve a wage that upholds their dignity and financial stability.
