Ndume Laments Meager Minimum Wage: ₦70,000 Only Buys a Bag of Rice

A former Chief Whip of the Senate, Ali Ndume, has criticized the ₦70,000 new minimum wage recently approved by the Federal Government.

Ndume was relieved of his position after making comments believed to be against the government of President Bola Tinubu.

Deriding the new wage, Ndume said it could only buy a 50kg bag of rice, which on average sells above ₦70,000.

Ndume has called on Tinubu to review the minimum wage upwards.

Despite being a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress, the senator has been critical of Tinubu’s government. He was removed as Senate Chief Whip on Wednesday.

Tinubu, along with leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress, agreed on the new ₦70,000 minimum wage during a meeting at the State House on Wednesday.

In a viral video posted by Channels Television on Friday, Ndume stated that the approved minimum wage cannot sustain a household because it only covers the cost of a 50kg bag of rice.

“People are suffering, people are angry, people are not happy. I am happy that yesterday, the President agreed with NLC to increase the salary to ₦70,000, which is a good move, but it takes more than that because, realistically, that is like a bag of rice, money that will buy a bag of rice or cover the cost of a bag of rice.

“So, I call on the president to still open up and listen to the people,” Ndume said.

Ndume was removed as a Senate principal officer following a letter from APC National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje and National Secretary Basiru Ajibola. The letter referenced an interview where Ndume criticized the Tinubu administration and recommended that the Senate relieve him of his position.