Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has announced that the state currently pays its workers a minimum wage of N85,000, which is N15,000 higher than the N70,000 minimum wage signed into law by President Bola Tinubu in July.
Speaking during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday, Sanwo-Olu emphasized that Lagos’ decision to pay a higher minimum wage is based on the state’s financial capacity, rather than a desire to outdo other states.
“I am glad to let you know that the minimum wage for Lagos, which we conversed and discussed with our union, is N85,000 now,” Sanwo-Olu said.
“It is not a competition… it is a function of affordability and a function of capacity.”
He further noted that the higher wage reflects the reality of living in Lagos, where the cost of living is higher than in many other parts of the country.
The governor also revealed that the state had earlier this year increased the salaries of its workers and hinted at the possibility of raising the minimum wage to N100,000 by January 2025.
“I would like to come back to you in January to say I have been able to increase the minimum wage of Lagos to N100,000… I want my people to have a living wage,” Sanwo-Olu added, stressing his commitment to ensuring that the government works for its employees.
This announcement comes as part of efforts by Lagos to improve workers’ welfare in response to the rising cost of living and inflation in the country.