BREAKING: OBASANJO ACCUSES LABOUR LEADERS OF BETRAYING NIGERIAN WORKERS OVER NEW MINIMUM WAGE DEAL

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has alleged that Nigerian labour leaders compromised the interests of workers by accepting bribes from the government during negotiations for the new minimum wage. Speaking on March 15, 2025, Obasanjo criticised the outcome of the negotiations, claiming that the labour representatives failed to secure a fair deal for the nation’s workforce.

According to Obasanjo, the union leaders prioritized personal gains over the well-being of the workers they were meant to represent. He expressed disappointment in how the process was handled, arguing that the final wage agreement does not reflect the economic realities faced by ordinary Nigerians.

His remarks have sparked intense reactions, with some calling for an independent investigation into the claims, while others within the labour movement have dismissed the allegations as baseless. Workers across the country, many of whom had expressed dissatisfaction with the new wage structure, are now demanding greater transparency in future negotiations.

This development comes amid ongoing debates over the cost of living crisis, inflation, and economic hardship, further fueling concerns about the effectiveness of labour unions in protecting workers’ rights.