Fuel Price Hike Has Rendered ₦70,000 Minimum Wage Useless — Nwekeaku

According to a report by Arise News on Saturday, October 10, 2026, Professor Charles Nwekeaku of Nasarawa State University, Keffi, says rising petrol prices have eroded the value of Nigeria’s ₦70,000 minimum wage.

Nwekeaku, a professor of New Public Management, said the increase in fuel prices had affected the cost of living and weakened workers’ purchasing power.

He argued that the current minimum wage no longer adequately reflects the financial demands facing Nigerian workers, particularly as petrol costs continue to affect household and transportation expenses.

“The NLC is the mouthpiece of the people. The increase in petrol prices has affected everything and rendered the ₦70,000 minimum wage useless. That is how much it costs me to fill my fuel tank. The subsidy removal policy was not well thought out,” Nwekeaku said.

The professor’s remarks highlight concerns about the relationship between fuel prices, wages and the cost of essential goods and services.

Petrol is a major component of transportation costs in Nigeria. Changes in its price can affect the movement of people and goods, with consequences for businesses and household spending.

For workers earning the national minimum wage, higher transport expenses can reduce the amount left for food, housing, healthcare and other basic needs.

Nwekeaku also criticised the implementation of the fuel subsidy removal policy, arguing that the decision was not adequately considered before its effects reached Nigerians.

His comments placed the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) at the centre of the discussion, describing the labour organisation as a voice for ordinary citizens affected by rising living costs.

The remarks add to ongoing concerns about whether wage adjustments can keep pace with increases in the cost of living following changes to fuel pricing.

Nwekeaku’s position reflects the argument that wage policy and broader economic reforms need to account for the financial pressure experienced by workers.

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