Religious Leader Supports Demand for Higher Salaries in Nigeria

A Lagos-based cleric, Prophet Abiodun Adebayo, has expressed strong support for the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in their call for a salary increase for Nigerian workers.

Prophet Adebayo, the resident pastor of Foundation Apostolic Revival International Ministry (FARIM) in Ikorodu, Lagos, made this declaration during a special message at his church last weekend. The message, titled “Government: Treat the Workers with Love,” emphasized the need for the government to genuinely address the hardships faced by workers.

Adebayo urged the government to refrain from making superficial gestures and instead demonstrate a sincere and compassionate attitude towards the plight of workers. He highlighted the critical situation that arose following President Bola Ahmad Tinubu’s removal of the fuel subsidy last year, which exacerbated the economic difficulties for many Nigerians.

The NLC has been advocating for a significant salary increase, demanding a minimum wage of ₦494,000. In contrast, the federal government has proposed a minimum wage of ₦60,000. Adebayo acknowledged that while the labour union’s demand might seem excessive, the federal government’s offer is also unreasonably low.

The cleric called on the federal government to act responsibly and fulfill its promise of providing a living wage to civil servants. He warned that failure to meet a reasonable compromise could lead to a planned strike by the labour unions on Monday, urging prompt and fair action to prevent further unrest.