TUC to Obasanjo: Stop Criticizing Buhari and Tinubu, You Paid Nigerians ₦3,500 Minimum Wage in 1999

The Trade Union Congress (TUC) chairman has criticized former President Olusegun Obasanjo, arguing that his administration did not prioritize workers’ welfare compared to those of Muhammadu Buhari and Bola Tinubu....CONTINUE READING>>>

In a video shared by SYMFONI, the TUC leader questioned Obasanjo’s recent comments on the need for a living wage in Nigeria, pointing out that during his tenure from 1999 to 2007, workers did not earn a fair wage.

“Former President Obasanjo talked about the fact that the last minimum wage should have been a living wage. That it is not a living wage that we negotiated. We looked at the person. I mean, Obasanjo was telling us about a living wage, but President Obasanjo was the president in Nigeria between 1999 to 2007. Let’s even leave the first one. Within this period, what was Nigeria’s minimum wage? Did we have a living wage within this period? The answer clearly is no,” he said.

The TUC chairman recalled that in 1999, the minimum wage was only ₦3,500, increasing to ₦5,500 in 2000 but remaining unchanged for seven years until Obasanjo left office in 2007. He also noted that at the time, the exchange rate was ₦120–₦140 per dollar, meaning workers earned roughly $40 per month.

He further emphasized that despite Nigeria securing debt forgiveness during Obasanjo’s administration, which reduced the country’s financial burden, the government still failed to increase workers’ salaries significantly.

The remarks have sparked debate, with many questioning Obasanjo’s credibility in criticizing recent administrations over labor issues.

Kindly watch video here from 2:41 to 4:17