Tinubu Government don receive another public defence from former Edo State Governor and ex-Nigeria Labour Congress president, Adams Oshiomhole, wey insist say President Bola Tinubu administration don demonstrate concern for ordinary Nigerians through salary increases. But as Oshiomhole dey present him mathematical explanation, one bigger question still dey follow the discussion: salary increase automatically mean say workers don begin enjoy better life?
During interview with Channels Television, Oshiomhole use example of worker wey previously dey collect ₦70,000 and supposedly receive another ₦70,000, explaining say the worker’s new earnings go reach ₦140,000. According to am, na 100 per cent increase, and e believe say this kind improvement show government concern for workers. The mathematics no get wahala, but the economic reality behind the calculation na where the real discussion dey.
Oshiomhole Defend Tinubu Government, Say Salary Increase Show Say President Get Workers for Mind
Oshiomhole, wey previously serve as Edo State governor and labour union leader, don defend Tinubu government against criticism over how e dey handle workers’ welfare. According to the material from the interview, the former governor believe say additional money wey workers receive deserve recognition as evidence of government effort to improve their living conditions. E use ₦70,000 as starting point and another ₦70,000 as additional payment to demonstrate how the worker’s earnings fit double to ₦140,000. For ordinary mathematics, the calculation correct: additional ₦70,000 on top of ₦70,000 represents 100 per cent increase. However, e important to understand whether the example represent a general salary adjustment for every Nigerian worker or a particular worker’s situation. Those two things no be the same.
The argument don bring another dimension into the conversation about Tinubu government and economic performance. Supporters fit point to salary adjustments as evidence of government intervention, while critics fit argue say salary improvement must go together with affordable food, transportation, accommodation, electricity and other essential services. After all, worker no dey spend salary inside calculator; na market, transport park and landlord dem dey collect the money from. Even when salary double, the real benefit go depend on how much purchasing power remain after workers settle their monthly responsibilities.
Tinubu Government: From ₦70,000 Minimum Wage to Fresh Workers’ Allowance
For additional background, President Tinubu approved the ₦70,000 national minimum wage in July 2024 after negotiations with organised labour. The agreement moved the minimum wage from ₦30,000 to ₦70,000, while the government also agreed that the minimum wage should undergo review every three years instead of five years. Tinubu later signed the Minimum Wage Act into law on July 29, 2024. The National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission subsequently explained that consequential salary adjustments would be necessary to accommodate the new minimum wage structure across different categories of federal workers. 
More recently, another workers’ welfare agreement don enter the picture. On October 28, 2026, the Federal Government reached an agreement with the Nigeria Labour Congress on a ₦70,000 monthly transport allowance for public-service workers for six months, beginning November 2026. The agreement also covered outstanding peculiar allowance arrears and plans to establish a new minimum wage negotiation committee. However, the parties did not agree on the effective date for implementing a new minimum wage. The agreement also included plans to address 19 months of outstanding allowances owed to health workers. These developments show say government still dey negotiate additional interventions as workers continue to face pressure from rising living costs. 
The important distinction be say national minimum wage, individual salary increments and temporary transport allowances no be the same thing. The ₦70,000 minimum wage establishes a legal wage floor for covered workers; e no automatically mean say every worker’s previous salary must receive another ₦70,000 on top. Likewise, the newly agreed transport allowance na temporary intervention for six months, no be permanent salary increase. This distinction matter because Nigerians deserve accurate information about which workers qualify, how payments go work and whether government go implement the agreements as promised.
As the debate continues, Oshiomhole’s defence don highlight one important issue about Tinubu government: government achievements should be measured not only by the amount announced or added to salaries, but also by the actual improvement citizens experience in their everyday lives. If workers receive more money but essential expenses continue to swallow the increase, the public conversation no go end with the calculator.
For now, Oshiomhole don make him position clear: Tinubu government don show say e care through salary improvement. But Nigerians go still expect more explanation, transparent implementation and measurable improvement in their purchasing power. As OGM News Pidgin, we go continue to monitor the workers’ welfare agreements and how government go deliver on the promises. Because for Nigeria, salary fit increase for paper, but na wetin remain inside pocket after market shopping go tell the complete story.
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