Obasanjo Criticizes New Minimum Wage, Says Labour Leaders Play Role in Its Ineffectiveness

Israel Adeleke

OPEN TELEVISION NAIJA (OTN) News reports that amid the ongoing minimum wage drama, the former president Olusegun Obasanjo has criticised the new minimum wage of N70,000 which was approved for workers last year by President Bola Tinubu.

OTN News further reports that Obasanjo who claimed the that wages is not enough to cover their basic needs, including transportation, food, and housing, said that the labour leaders have betrayed workers by prioritising personal interests over collective welfare.

According to Obasanjo in his newly released book, “Nigeria: Past and Future," That is the situation in Nigeria in the third decade of the 21st century

"The minimum wage does not even cover transportation costs for some workers, let alone food, housing, and family upkeep,”

“Because of their political ambitions, most union leaders are ineffective compared to the founding fathers’ expectations.

“The workers thereby become victims of selfish leaders who use their positions to achieve political heights.

“Rather than negotiate in the interest of the workers, they do sabre-rattling and they are called into the room and money in large amounts is stuffed into their hands and they keep quiet.

“That has been the case since 2015. And, if anything, it is going from bad to worse,” Obasanjo added.