Nigeria Minimum Wage 2026 — ₦70,000/Month (Full History)
Nigeria Minimum Wage 2026 — What You Need to Know
The National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Act 2024 increased Nigeria's minimum wage from ₦30,000 to ₦70,000 per month, signed into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in July 2024. The increase came after intense negotiations between the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress (TUC), and the Federal Government, triggered by the severe cost-of-living crisis following the removal of fuel subsidies in May 2023.
The minimum wage applies to all employers with 25 or more employees, including federal, state, and local governments, as well as private sector organizations. Smaller establishments may be exempt under the Act. States have the option to pay above the federal minimum but cannot legally pay below it.
Nigeria Minimum Wage History (1981 – 2026)
Since its introduction in 1981 at just ₦100/month, the Nigerian minimum wage has been revised eight times. The table below shows every increase with the percentage change and the president who signed it into law.
| Year | Monthly Rate | Annual | % Change | President | Law / Decree |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | ₦100 | ₦1,200 | — | Shehu Shagari | Wages Boards and Industrial Councils Act |
| 1991 | ₦250 | ₦3,000 | +150% | Ibrahim Babangida | Minimum Wage Act 1991 |
| 1998 | ₦363 | ₦4,356 | +45% | Abdulsalami Abubakar | National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Act 1998 |
| 2000 | ₦5,500 | ₦66,000 | +1415% | Olusegun Obasanjo | National Minimum Wage Act 2000 |
| 2004 | ₦7,500 | ₦90,000 | +36% | Olusegun Obasanjo | Executive directive 2004 |
| 2011 | ₦18,000 | ₦216,000 | +140% | Goodluck Jonathan | National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Act 2011 |
| 2019 | ₦30,000 | ₦360,000 | +67% | Muhammadu Buhari | National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Act 2019 |
| 2024 Current | ₦70,000 | ₦840,000 | +133% | Bola Tinubu | National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Act 2024 |
Timeline of Minimum Wage Increases in Nigeria
Minimum Wage by State in Nigeria (2026)
The ₦70,000 minimum wage is a federal law applicable in all 36 states and the FCT. All states listed below are required to pay at least ₦70,000/month to workers covered under the Act.
| State | Monthly Minimum (₦) | Annual | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abia State | ₦70,000 | ₦840,000 | Confirmed |
| Adamawa State | ₦70,000 | ₦840,000 | Confirmed |
| Akwa Ibom State | ₦70,000 | ₦840,000 | Confirmed |
| Anambra State | ₦70,000 | ₦840,000 | Confirmed |
| Bauchi State | ₦70,000 | ₦840,000 | Confirmed |
| Bayelsa State | ₦70,000 | ₦840,000 | Confirmed |
| Benue State | ₦70,000 | ₦840,000 | Confirmed |
| Borno State | ₦70,000 | ₦840,000 | Confirmed |
| Cross River State | ₦70,000 | ₦840,000 | Confirmed |
| Delta State | ₦70,000 | ₦840,000 | Confirmed |
| Ebonyi State | ₦70,000 | ₦840,000 | Confirmed |
| Edo State | ₦70,000 | ₦840,000 | Confirmed |
| Ekiti State | ₦70,000 | ₦840,000 | Confirmed |
| Enugu State | ₦70,000 | ₦840,000 | Confirmed |
| FCT Abuja | ₦70,000 | ₦840,000 | Confirmed |
| Gombe State | ₦70,000 | ₦840,000 | Confirmed |
| Imo State | ₦70,000 | ₦840,000 | Confirmed |
| Jigawa State | ₦70,000 | ₦840,000 | Confirmed |
| Kaduna State | ₦70,000 | ₦840,000 | Confirmed |
| Kano State | ₦70,000 | ₦840,000 | Confirmed |
| Katsina State | ₦70,000 | ₦840,000 | Confirmed |
| Kebbi State | ₦70,000 | ₦840,000 | Confirmed |
| Kogi State | ₦70,000 | ₦840,000 | Confirmed |
| Kwara State | ₦70,000 | ₦840,000 | Confirmed |
| Lagos State | ₦70,000 | ₦840,000 | Confirmed |
| Nasarawa State | ₦70,000 | ₦840,000 | Confirmed |
| Niger State | ₦70,000 | ₦840,000 | Confirmed |
| Ogun State | ₦70,000 | ₦840,000 | Confirmed |
| Ondo State | ₦70,000 | ₦840,000 | Confirmed |
| Osun State | ₦70,000 | ₦840,000 | Confirmed |
| Oyo State | ₦70,000 | ₦840,000 | Confirmed |
| Plateau State | ₦70,000 | ₦840,000 | Confirmed |
| Rivers State | ₦70,000 | ₦840,000 | Confirmed |
| Sokoto State | ₦70,000 | ₦840,000 | Confirmed |
| Taraba State | ₦70,000 | ₦840,000 | Confirmed |
| Yobe State | ₦70,000 | ₦840,000 | Confirmed |
| Zamfara State | ₦70,000 | ₦840,000 | Confirmed |
Federal Government Salary Scales — Beyond Minimum Wage
The minimum wage applies to the lowest-paid workers. Federal civil servants and public sector employees are paid according to specific consolidated salary structures, which are all significantly above the minimum wage. See the full grade tables for each scale below:
Frequently Asked Questions — Nigeria Minimum Wage
What is the current minimum wage in Nigeria?
Nigeria's current minimum wage is ₦70,000 per month, signed into law by President Bola Tinubu in July 2024 under the National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Act 2024. This equals ₦840,000 per year or approximately ₦3,182 per working day.
When was Nigeria minimum wage last increased?
Nigeria's minimum wage was last increased in July 2024 from ₦30,000 to ₦70,000 per month — a 133% increase. This followed intense negotiations between the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Federal Government against the backdrop of rising inflation caused by the 2023 removal of fuel subsidies.
Is ₦70,000 minimum wage enough to live in Nigeria?
₦70,000 per month is widely considered insufficient to meet the cost of living in Nigerian cities. In Lagos, for example, a single person needs a minimum of ₦120,000–₦150,000 per month for basic rent, food, and transport. The minimum wage covers only basic needs in smaller northern cities like Kano or Kaduna, where cost of living is significantly lower.
Do all Nigerian states pay ₦70,000 minimum wage?
The ₦70,000 minimum wage is a federal law that applies to all states. However, compliance varies — some state governments have been slow to implement it, particularly for lower-cadre workers. The federal government and private sector employers with 25 or more employees are legally mandated to comply.
What is the minimum wage for civil servants in Nigeria?
Federal civil servants earn based on the CONPSS (Consolidated Public Service Salary Structure). The entry-level GL 01 salary is approximately ₦341,000 per year (about ₦28,400/month basic) but with allowances the take-home is higher. GL 07 — the most common graduate entry point — earns approximately ₦624,000 per year basic (₦52,000/month), plus housing, transport, and other allowances.
How does Nigeria minimum wage compare to other African countries?
At ₦70,000/month (~$45 USD at parallel market rates), Nigeria's minimum wage is among the lower end of African minimum wages when converted to dollars, behind South Africa (~$230), Ghana (~$120), Kenya (~$100), and Egypt (~$80). However, purchasing power varies significantly — goods and services in many Nigerian cities are priced to local income levels. The minimum wage debate in Nigeria therefore focuses more on domestic cost of living than on international comparison.
Minimum wage figures are sourced from official Federal Government gazettes and the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC). Salary scale figures are approximate and may vary based on specific appointments and allowances. This page is for informational purposes. Last reviewed: August 10, 2026.