Obasanjo alleges labour leaders were bribed while negotiating new minimum wage

Obasanjo also accused the leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC)  of betraying workers.

By Kehinde Okeowo

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has asserted that the new minimum wage of N70,000 which was approved for workers by President Bola Tinubu last year cannot meet their needs. 

He made this known in his newly published book, “Nigeria: Past and Future”.

According to Obasanjo, the new minimum wage is not enough to cover workers’ basic needs such as transportation, food, housing and others.

He added that leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) betrayed workers by prioritising personal interests over collective welfare.

He wrote, “That is the situation in Nigeria in the third decade of the 21st century.

“The minimum wage does not even cover transportation costs for some workers, let alone food, housing, and family upkeep.”

Obasanjo went on to claim that labour leaders are more interested in pursuing personal interests.

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He further alleged that they end up pleasing the government instead of workers after taking bride.

“Because of their political ambitions, most union leaders are ineffective compared to the founding fathers’ expectations.

“The workers thereby become victims of selfish leaders who use their positions to achieve political heights.

“Rather than negotiate in the interest of the workers, they do sabre-rattling and they are called into the room and money in large amounts is stuffed into their hands and they keep quiet.

“That has been the case since 2015. And, if anything, it is going from bad to worse,” Obasanjo added.