By Ayomide Otitoju
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has announced that the state will implement a minimum wage of N85,000 for its workers, surpassing the N70,000 set by the Federal Government in July. The new wage, N15,000 higher than the federal benchmark, was revealed during Sanwo-Olu’s appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday.
President Bola Tinubu had signed the N70,000 minimum wage bill into law in July, concluding months of negotiations between the government, labour unions, and private sector stakeholders.
Governor Sanwo-Olu clarified that Lagos is not increasing the wage to compete with other states but because it has the financial capacity to do so.
“I am glad to let you know that the minimum wage for Lagos, which we discussed with our union, is now N85,000,” Sanwo-Olu said. “It is not a competition; it is a function of affordability and capacity. We understand that Lagos has a premium in terms of the cost of living.”
He further noted that the state had already raised workers’ salaries earlier this year and expressed hope to increase the minimum wage to N100,000 by January 2025. “It’s really because I want my people to have a living wage. I want them to know that the government is working for them,” he added.
Vision for Lagos
Sanwo-Olu also shared his vision for a future Lagos that works for everyone, regardless of background. Addressing the city’s notorious traffic congestion, he envisioned a Lagos with predictable journey times.
“The dream identity will be a Lagos where you can have a predictable journey time,” the governor said. “You can leave your house or office and safely expect to reach your destination in 30 to 35 minutes.”
He emphasized his administration’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for businesses to grow and thrive, ensuring that Lagos continues to develop as a city for all its residents.
