Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo, the gubernatorial candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) in the last general elections in Ogun State, has thrown his weight behind the Trade Union Congress (TUC) of Nigeria’s proposal of a minimum wage of N200,000 per month for workers across the country.
In a statement made available to Wowplus.net on Wednesday, Oguntoyinbo noted that everything, including the cost of food and transportation, has gone up, saying that it is necessary to increase the minimum wage.
As the average worker in the country struggles to meet basic needs, Oguntoyinbo believes that a minimum wage below N200,000 would be suffocating for them.
Oguntoyinbo also urged the federal government, led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to invest the funds saved from the removal of subsidy on infrastructural development, leading to enhanced economic development and growth in the country.
The NNPP candidate reiterated that the federal government should also provide low-cost housing for workers because the cost of accommodation is no longer affordable for the average worker.
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Highlighting the importance of infrastructural development, Oguntoyinbo emphasized that the removal of subsidy on petroleum products should be directed towards building schools, hospitals, roads, and other social amenities, rather than a few individuals pocketing the money.
The candidate said: “If roads are bad, there is no electricity and other necessary infrastructure; it will only negatively affect productivity. Our problem in this country is that we spend more on recurrent than capital.”
The TUC had proposed the N200,000 minimum wage during its meeting with the Presidential Committee last Sunday, and as Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo notes, it is a necessary step to help lift workers out of poverty and improve the overall economy in Nigeria.
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With the country still recovering from the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the proposal could provide vital relief to struggling workers across industries.
As the election cycle heats up, Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo’s support for the minimum wage proposal is bound to influence other politicians, as workers continue to call for a minimum wage that is both fair and livable.
