Sowore proposes a minimum wage of 500,000 naira in Nigeria — Premium Times Nigeria
In Nigeria, African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore said the country could introduce a monthly minimum wage of 500,000 naira. To finance the initiative, he proposes cutting inefficient government spending, collecting unpaid oil royalties and closing financial leakages, Premium Times Nigeria reports.
Cost estimate and funding sources
Sowore, who joined Channels Television’s Politics Today programme remotely from the United States, estimated the additional burden on the federal wage bill at approximately 7.1 trillion naira. At the same time, according to his calculations, eliminating waste in the public sector could generate savings of between 3 trillion and 4 trillion naira.
The candidate also named the recovery of royalties unpaid by oil companies and the stoppage of financial leakages as potential funding sources. He acknowledged that corruption could not be overcome immediately. Sowore believes that higher wages would increase workers’ purchasing power and stimulate economic activity.
The publication notes that the initiative raises questions about the ability of states, local governments and businesses to pay such wages, given their varying income levels. According to Sowore, it should be introduced alongside broader economic reforms to increase productivity and reduce operating costs.
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Other campaign proposals
Sowore also promised to dismantle the existing national power grid and replace it with regional systems using solar energy, gas, hydropower and biogas. He said that more than 60,000 megawatts of electricity are needed to restore Nigeria’s industrial productivity. If elected, he promised to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply in less than three years.
Among the candidate’s other proposals are the use of blockchain systems to monitor public spending, the development of telemedicine involving Nigerian doctors abroad, free technology education, agricultural reforms and infrastructure development. He also said he would not create an Office of the First Lady because, according to him, such a position is not provided for in Nigeria’s Constitution.
Sowore is an activist and publisher of Sahara Reporters. He previously ran for president on the AAC ticket in 2019 and 2023.
