Former Presidential Candidate and Human Rights Activist Omoyele Sowore has sparked debates online after questioning what should be considered a real minimum wage for Nigerian workers today.
In a post shared on his X account on Friday, Sowore challenged Nigerians to reflect on the true cost of living and what amount would allow workers to live comfortably rather than merely day to day survival.
According to him, the current economic realities have made it difficult for many workers to afford basic necessities such as decent housing, healthcare, transportation, quality education,pipe borne water, good transportation network for their children, savings, and recreation.
“As workers return to work this morning after two days of public holidays, let’s ask an important question,” Sowore wrote.
“What should be the minimum monthly wage required for a Nigerian worker to live decently in today’s economy? Not just to survive.”
The activist went further to ask Nigerians whether a monthly salary of ₦200,000, ₦500,000, ₦1 million, or even more would be enough for a family to maintain a dignified standard of living in today’s Nigeria.
He also urged citizens to explain their figures, stressing that a nation’s minimum wage should guarantee dignity and not poverty.
The statement has since generated mixed reactions on social media, with many Nigerians sharing their experiences about the rising cost of food, transportation, rent, school fees, and healthcare across the country.
Some users argued that anything below ₦500,000 can no longer sustain an average family in major cities like Lagos and Abuja, while others insisted that inflation has made even higher salaries insufficient for comfortable living.
The discussion comes amid ongoing concerns over inflation, fuel price increases, and the general cost of living crisis affecting millions of Nigerians.
