Providing living wages instead of Minimum wages – President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Plan

A living wage is the minimum income level necessary for a worker to meet their basic needs, such as food, housing, healthcare, and education, without falling into poverty. In Nigeria, achieving a living wage without causing the inflation rate to soar requires a comprehensive approach.

Another way is to strengthen the social welfare system to provide a safety net for low-income households. This can include measures such as cash transfers, food subsidies, and healthcare services that help households meet their basic needs.

One way to achieve living wages is by promoting economic growth and job creation. This involves providing a conducive business environment that attracts investments, especially in labor-intensive sectors. Additionally, the government can invest in infrastructure that supports agriculture and industry, which are critical for job creation.

Finally, improving the productivity of workers is important in achieving living wages. This requires investments in education and training programs that equip workers with the skills and knowledge required for the jobs of tomorrow.

Overall, achieving living wages in Nigeria requires a multifaceted approach that involves promoting economic growth, strengthening the social welfare system, and investing in education and training.

This Opinion piece was written by

Kazeem Kolawole RAJI, Former Executive Director (Technical Services), Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited and the then Director, National Youth Mobilisation South West, APC Presidential Campaign Council for Tinubu-Shet