The National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) has proposed a minimum wage of N350,000 for Nigerian workers, citing the current economic challenges faced by workers across the country.
Speaking at the association’s 5th national delegates conference in Abuja, NAAT president Ibeji Nwokoma emphasized the need for a substantial increase in the minimum wage to enable workers to cope with the rising cost of living.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Nwokoma pointed out that the removal of fuel subsidies, along with inflationary pressures and the volatility of the exchange rate, has placed significant burdens on workers.
In light of these challenges, he argued that Nigeria should move beyond the concept of a mere minimum wage to embrace the idea of a living wage that provides workers with dignity and a decent standard of living.
Comparing Nigeria to other African countries, Nwokoma highlighted the strides made by some nations in ensuring that workers earn wages commensurate with the cost of living. He proposed a minimum monthly wage of N350,000 for Nigerian workers to address the current economic realities.
Furthermore, Nwokoma lamented the poor funding of tertiary institutions in Nigeria, despite UNESCO’s recommendation of allocating at least 26 per cent of the national budget to education.
He noted that Nigeria consistently falls short of this benchmark, resulting in inadequate funding and infrastructural decay in universities and other tertiary institutions.
Addressing the conference, Minister of Education Prof. Tahir Mamman defended his position that candidates seeking admission into tertiary institutions should be 18 years and above. He expressed concerns about the vulnerability of students below the age of 18 to negative influences and vices.
Regarding the conference’s theme, Mamman stated that the government plans to introduce skills and technology education from the primary school to the tertiary level. He emphasized that integrating skills and technology education into the curriculum would help bridge the unemployment gap in the country.
The proposals and discussions at the conference reflect the ongoing efforts to address economic challenges and improve the education sector in Nigeria.
