Ex-Kaduna Central Senator Shehu Sani has called into question the feasibility of the Federal Government’s proposed N45,000 minimum wage, asserting that Nigerian workers require a minimum of N100,000 to survive amidst the nation’s current economic challenges.

Sani made this known during a recent appearance on ARISE TV. His remarks were made in the context of an ongoing dispute between organized Labour and the government regarding the proposed N45,000 minimum wage, which Sani deems insufficient for Nigerian workers.

Speaking on the issue, Sani argued that no worker in Nigeria could make ends meet on less than N100,000 per month, given the current state of the economy. The former lawmaker’s insights into the struggles faced by the nation’s workforce provide a valuable perspective on the debate surrounding minimum wage, further emphasizing the need for immediate government action to ensure the well-being of Nigerian citizens.

He said, “I don’t know how a Nigerian can survive with less than N100,000. If you break down what the government is offering N45,000-48,000, you will see how unrealistic it is by the time you factor in many things. The position taken by labour should be considered by the government.

“It is one thing agreeing to increase the minimum wage and then the capacity to pay. Let us not forget that in the last few years, the government has been finding it difficult to even pay the ones that they already have on paper, so how this could be reflected should be considered.

“But from what we have learnt since the withdrawal of subsidy, the government has more money and there’s no better way to effectively and productively spend it than to increase the minimum wage of Nigerian workers to a reasonable point where he can adequately take care of his family.

“Economic reforms are taking place in this country, there are consequences for the reforms. They are supposed to be sacrifices but it should be across the board.

“Workers are seeing that money is coming in trillions, they want their own share. When a nation subsidises, it makes more value for wages but when they are removed, you have to pay for it.”