Nigeria's minimum wage cannot sustain workers, retiring pension chief warns

A retiring senior pension officer in Nigeria's Federal Civil Service has issued a stark warning: the current minimum wage is failing to sustain Nigerian workers amid escalating living costs.

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My salary cannot even fill my car with fuel for two weeks. We need a living wage, not just a minimum wage that loses value before workers receive it.

Mrs. Maria Nkereuwem Etukudoh, who retired after 25 years of service, including her role as Head of the Pension Unit at the Federal Ministry of Finance, stated that soaring prices for fuel, transportation, food, and housing have severely diminished the purchasing power of civil servants.

Speaking at her retirement reception in Abuja, Etukudoh described her personal struggle, noting, "My salary cannot even fill my car with fuel for two weeks. We need a living wage, not just a minimum wage that loses value before workers receive it." She emphasized that the removal of fuel subsidies has exacerbated these difficulties, making daily commutes and basic necessities burdensome.

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To go to work became burdensome. Buying fuel, paying transport fares, feeding the family and paying rent became very difficult.

Etukudoh cautioned that inadequate remuneration impacts more than just welfare; it undermines worker morale, commitment, and productivity. She urged the government to prioritize workers' well-being, arguing that a motivated workforce is crucial for efficient public administration and effective service delivery. "When workers are properly compensated, they will give their very best to public service," she asserted.

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Government should continue improving workers’ welfare because the current minimum wage cannot take anybody anywhere.

Furthermore, Etukudoh drew attention to the plight of retired workers, citing prolonged delays in receiving retirement benefits. "You see retirees who have worked all their lives for this country, and when it is time for them to receive their reward, in most cases they don’t get that reward. Is that not terrible?" she questioned, highlighting a significant challenge faced by those who have dedicated their careers to public service.

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When workers are properly compensated, they will give their very best to public service.