Segun Ayinde, Abeokuta
Dr. Yinka Ola-Williams, Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Ogun State, has urged the Federal Government to prioritize agricultural production, arguing that the proposed ₦70,000 minimum wage is insufficient for workers’ welfare.
The organized labor unions, including the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), have been in negotiations with the Federal Government over the new minimum wage for several months. The government concluded on a ₦70,000 wage, significantly lower than the ₦250,000 proposed by the workforce.
During the 12th Anniversary and Graduation Ceremony of Lyceum Schools, themed “Global Reach Within Local Realities” at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta, Dr. Ola-Williams emphasized the need for urgent government action to enhance local agricultural production.
He argued that this would help reduce the rising cost of food and services, alleviating the economic hardships faced by over 200 million Nigerians.
“The failure of proper management of the Anchor Borrowers Programme has led to the current hunger and skyrocketing prices of goods and services,” Ola-Williams said.
He insisted that merely increasing the minimum wage to ₦70,000 would not address the underlying economic issues.
He continued, “We need to focus on creating more local production and reducing the cost of food because two major expenses for workers are food and transportation. That is why they are crying out. The ₦70,000 will not be enough if food prices continue to rise. We need to go back to farming, produce more, and reduce the cost of food so that the ₦70,000 can make a little sense.”
Ola-Williams acknowledged the proposed ₦70,000 minimum wage by the Federal Government, emphasizing the need for balance to avoid exacerbating inflation and further devaluation of the Naira.
“I am okay with the ₦70,000 because that is what the federal government proposes, and we have to support what they say. Let’s not create crises. If the labor unions don’t accept it, congratulations to them. We should focus more on fostering peace and unity in the country,” he concluded.