The Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions has called for an urgent review of Nigeria’s ₦70,000 minimum wage, saying rising living costs have eroded workers’ purchasing power despite the Federal Government’s economic reforms.
The union also challenged state and local governments to ensure that increased revenues translate into better salaries, improved public services and tangible relief for workers and their families.
NASU President, Dr Hassan Makolo, made the demands in Abuja during the union’s National Executive Council meeting on Tuesday.
He said workers should see measurable improvements in their living conditions in return for the economic sacrifices they have endured.
“With increased revenues flowing to the states and local governments, workers have every right to demand accountability,” Makolo said.
“Higher public revenues must be visible in better and timely salaries, improved schools and hospitals, good roads, clean water, decent infrastructure and stronger social services. Increased revenue without improved living conditions is not progress.”
Makolo said the current minimum wage was inadequate amid rising costs of food, transport, electricity, rent, healthcare and other essential needs. He called for periodic wage reviews and cost-of-living adjustments to protect workers’ earnings against inflation.
The union urged the Federal Government to ensure that domestic refining translates into lower fuel costs and to expand affordable mass transportation.
It also called for improvements in electricity supply, insisting that consumers should not face higher tariffs without corresponding improvements in service delivery. Makolo demanded universal metering and an end to arbitrary estimated billing.
On food security, he called for greater support for farmers, improved security in farming communities and investment in food production, storage and transportation.
He warned that the risk of widespread food insecurity required urgent national attention.
NASU also urged governments to expand affordable housing, create secure jobs, strengthen healthcare and education, and improve social protection for vulnerable Nigerians.
The union called on state governors to ensure prompt payment of salaries, pensions and gratuities, arguing that increased public revenue should benefit workers and ordinary citizens rather than remain a fiscal gain without improvements in living standards.
Makolo said public funds must be managed transparently and directed towards public welfare.
“Our position as NASU is clear: public resources belong to the people, and they must be deployed for the welfare of the people, not for the comfort and privilege of a few political office holders,” he said.
He also called for greater accountability in the management of public borrowing and debt servicing, saying government spending should reflect pressing needs in wages, education, healthcare and essential services.
On employment, the union expressed concern about unemployment, casualisation and the weakening of Nigeria’s productive base. It advocated industrial development, vocational training and the creation of decent, secure jobs.
As political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections gather pace, Makolo urged organised labour to make workers’ welfare a central issue in public debate.
He said candidates and their programmes should be assessed on their commitments to decent wages, employment, security, social protection and quality public services.
“The true measure of any economic reform is not the applause it receives in boardrooms, but the difference it makes in the lives of ordinary Nigerians,” he said.
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