Nigeria: Minimum Wage Cannot Sustain Nigerian Workers, Retiring Pension Chief Warns

What the report says

A retiring Federal Civil Service pension officer in Nigeria, Maria Nkereuwem Etukudoh, has called on the government to replace the current minimum wage with a living wage, arguing that workers are struggling to cope with inflation and higher transport, food, housing and fuel costs. The remarks were reported by This Day from a retirement reception in Abuja on Sunday, 10 August 2026, and were carried on AllAfrica.

Etukudoh, who said she spent 25 years in the civil service and served as head of the Pension Unit at the Federal Ministry of Finance, said the erosion of purchasing power has made even basic commuting difficult for many public servants. She linked the pressure on workers to the removal of fuel subsidy and the broader rise in living expenses, and said pay levels no longer match economic realities. She also argued that poor remuneration can weaken morale, commitment and productivity in public administration.

The retiring official used the occasion to draw attention to pension delays and hardship among retirees. She said some pensioners wait for their benefits for long periods and urged reforms that would ensure faster payment and more dignified treatment of former workers. She also called for better office conditions, saying outdated equipment and inadequate facilities can reduce service delivery.

In her comments, Etukudoh said the government has made some efforts to clear outstanding pension liabilities and improve benefit schemes, but she urged further action. Her husband, who also spoke at the event, praised her career and used the platform to discuss broader needs in Nigeria’s medical laboratory sector, including infrastructure and local production of diagnostic materials.