By Usman Abdullahi Koli

Last year, this column asked whether Nigeria had learned anything from the Wunti factor. The question was not about one man. It was about whether a nation could turn individual competence into institutional habit. A year later, the answer is still unfolding, but the evidence has grown heavier. A Nigerian story is so familiar it no longer provokes thought. A man rises, reaches the top of a system, and disappears into the quiet comfort of his achievements. It is a story we tell ourselves to feel better about a country that rarely rewards the right things.

But every so often, someone refuses the script. Bala Maijama’a Wunti spent over three decades in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, rising through the ranks to senior leadership roles, including Chief Upstream Investment Officer of NNPC Limited, before retiring in 2025. He could have walked away. He had earned the right to. But his people called. They asked him to consider the governorship of Bauchi State. He listened, responding to a call that came from the roots that raised him. When the ticket did not come his way, he did not vanish into Abuja’s shadows. He returned to the work he had long pursued through the Wunti Alkhair Foundation, the vehicle through which he had been supporting basic needs, healthcare access, educational assistance, and community development across Bauchi long before anyone thought to call him a reformer.

Then in August 2026, the call came again. This time it was not political. The World Energy Council, the global body Nigeria had joined in 1960 but had never fully inhabited, admitted a new Nigerian member committee, formally restoring the country’s participation in the organisation. Wunti was named its inaugural Chief Executive Officer. A position that could have distanced him from the ground. A position that could have turned him into a man of communiqués and conference rooms. He continued building anyway. In September 2026, he broke ground on the Bala Wunti Arena, a 10,000-capacity multipurpose indoor sports hall at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University in Bauchi.

The project will be completed within 50 weeks. Construction materials will be sourced locally. In a move that says everything about their understanding of development, ATBU students developed the architectural design through a competitive process. Eleven teams participated. W-Nexus won with a design that earned them N5 million. The first runner-up received N4 million, the second runner-up received N3 million, and the other participating groups were awarded N1 million each. Not a single student walked away empty-handed. He called it “a project for ATBU by ATBU.” The phrase is simple, but it carries a weight that most Nigerian development initiatives never approach.

It says that the people closest to a problem are not just beneficiaries of solutions. They are authors of them. This is the Wunti factor. It is not about one man saving a nation. It is about one man refusing to let distance become indifference. And it is the same instinct that carried him from a construction site in Bauchi to a panel in New York. At the 2026 Concordia Annual Summit, held alongside the United Nations General Assembly, Wunti sat on a panel titled “Rare Currency: Critical Minerals in a Shifting Global Economy.”

The conversation was about America’s growing dependence on imported minerals and China’s dominant position in global processing. But Wunti’s contribution was not about geopolitics. It was about one of Nigeria’s old economic wounds. “For half a century, Nigeria exported crude oil and imported refined petroleum products,” he said. “That created poverty, not prosperity. We will not repeat that mistake with lithium and rare earth elements.” That sentence deserves to be read twice. It is not a policy recommendation. It is a diagnosis of a national pathology.

Nigeria has 44 critical minerals distributed across the country. Global demand is rising because of electric vehicles and artificial intelligence data centres. The temptation is to dig them up, ship them out, and count the dollars at the port. Wunti is saying that is not development. That is extraction. That is the same old story with a different mineral. What makes his argument stick is the precision with which he identifies why Nigeria keeps failing at this. It is not corruption alone. It is not lack of policy. It is the gap between potential and project.

“The central issue is the difference between mineral potential and an investable project,” he said. “We had geological indications, but not proven reserves supported by JORC-compliant data. We also had good policies, but not clearly defined projects. Investors invest in projects, not potential.” This is not the language of a man who has spent too long in conference halls. This is the language of someone who has actually tried to get things built in Nigeria.

He knows that a geological survey is not a feasibility study. He knows that a policy document is not a contract. He knows that investors do not put money into a country’s potential. They put money into specific projects with specific prices, specific timelines, and specific risks that have been accounted for. His prescription is blunt: “Give me a credible price, and I will give you private capital.” He talks about price floors, about the need for $110 per kilogram for certain minerals to make processing viable, about the difference between a pitch and a transaction.

This vocabulary differs from conventional Nigerian policy discourse. It is the vocabulary of markets. And yet, the same man who can talk JORC compliance and price floors in New York is the same man who initiates a sports arena designed by students. There is no contradiction here. Most Nigerian public figures never achieve this coherence. Wunti understands that development is not a single grand gesture. It is a series of specific interventions, each one designed to create something that outlasts the person who started it.

A sports hall that students helped design and will therefore use with a sense of ownership. An energy council that builds a framework for investment rather than waiting for the next policy document. At 66, Nigeria is not short of talented people. What it lacks is the capacity to turn individual talent into institutional habit. Every reformer eventually leaves. Every philanthropist eventually stops writing cheques. The question is whether the structures they build can survive them. Wunti’s work has answered that question.

The deep offshore reforms also outlived his tenure, with the 2019 amendment to the Production Sharing Contracts Act introducing price-reflective royalties and periodic reviews intended to improve the government’s share of revenue. The World Energy Council Nigeria chapter, if it works, will be a platform that belongs to the country, not to one man. The Bala Wunti Arena, if the 50-week deadline holds, will be a building that students use for decades after the ribbon is cut.

At 66, Nigeria has endured. It has stumbled and survived. But endurance is not the same as learning. The country has spent six and a half decades producing people who know how to build, yet too often struggles to turn their individual capacity into institutions that outlast them. Wunti is not the first Nigerian to refuse the script. He is simply one of the few who have kept building after the cameras left, after the political door closed, after the comfortable retirement beckoned. The question that remains is not what Wunti will do next. It is whether Nigeria will finally learn to turn the Wunti factor into a national habit. The answer is not yet written. It depends on whether the rest of us are paying attention.

Usman Abdullahi Koli can be reached via mernoukoli@gmail.com.

By Uzair Adam

Kano State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Bakori, has visited the 15th Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, at his Nasarawa Palace in Kano.

The visit comes amid the lingering crisis surrounding the Kano Emirate, with discussions reportedly focused on maintaining peace and security across the state.

The Daily Reality recalls that the emirship tussle began in May 2024 after the Kano State Government repealed the law establishing five emirates in the state and reinstated Muhammadu Sanusi II as the 16th Emir of Kano.

The development effectively removed Aminu Ado Bayero, who was installed as the 15th Emir in 2020 following the dethronement of Sanusi by the administration of former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje.

Bayero, however, rejected his removal and continued to occupy the Nasarawa Palace, while Sanusi returned to the main Emir’s Palace, deepening the legal and political dispute over the Kano throne.

The crisis has since generated prolonged legal proceedings and heightened concerns over peace and security in the state.

Against this backdrop, Bakori’s visit to Bayero is seen as part of efforts to engage key stakeholders and promote peace and stability amid the unresolved emirate dispute.

By Uzair Adam

The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has appointed Professor Salisu Shehu, Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), as its Deputy Secretary-General (International) as part of the restructuring and expansion of its National Executive Council (NEC).

The Daily Reality reports that the appointment was contained in a statement signed by Abbas Jimoh, Public Affairs Officer of the NSCIA, following the General Assembly of the Council held in Abuja on Thursday, October 1, 2026.

Prof. Shehu has now been assigned the additional responsibility of Deputy Secretary-General (International) of the NSCIA, placing him among the senior officers to serve under the expanded national leadership structure of the Islamic body.

His new role is expected to involve matters relating to the Council’s international engagements and affairs, as the NSCIA expands its executive structure to accommodate additional responsibilities.

The General Assembly, attended by Muslim leaders comprising traditional leaders of the Islamic faith and Chief Imams of Central Mosques from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, approved the expansion of the National Executive Council.

Under the restructuring, Prof. Mahfouz Adedimeji was appointed Deputy Secretary-General (National), while Mr Abeny Mohammed (SAN) was named Deputy Secretary-General (Corporate) and Dr Bala Muhammad Deputy Secretary-General (Administration).

The Council also appointed Dr Umar Jibrilu Gwandu as Public Relations Officer, with Hajia Sekinat Lawal serving as Deputy Public Relations Officer.

Dr Mairo Mandara was appointed Development Officer, while Arc Abdullahi Musa PenAbdul was named Deputy Development Officer (Technical). Prof. Fatimah Abdulkarim was also appointed Family Affairs Officer.

The decisions were reached during the General Assembly under the leadership of the President-General of the NSCIA and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, mni.

The expanded executive structure is expected to strengthen the Council’s administration and broaden the areas of responsibility within its national leadership.

The Daily Reality recalls that the NSCIA serves as the umbrella body for Islamic affairs in Nigeria and provides a platform for Muslim leaders and institutions to coordinate issues affecting the Muslim community.

The latest appointments therefore bring additional expertise and responsibilities into the Council’s leadership, with Prof. Shehu’s appointment giving him a specific role in advancing the NSCIA’s international engagements alongside his existing responsibilities at NERDC.

By Uzair Adam

Some training centres implementing the Federal Government’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programme in Kano and Jigawa states are grappling with delayed payments, mounting operational costs and unpaid trainer allowances, raising concerns about the sustainability of the programme.

The Daily Reality gathered that the situation has left some centre operators struggling to meet their financial obligations, while trainers engaged to teach beneficiaries say they have gone for months without receiving their allowances.

There are also concerns over equipment promised to beneficiaries after training, with some graduates saying they completed their programmes without receiving the tools expected to help them establish businesses or secure employment.

The TVET programme is designed to equip unemployed Nigerians and others without sustainable employment with practical skills that can improve their chances of earning a livelihood. Beneficiaries are also expected to receive nationally recognised certificates and, in some cases, equipment packages after completing their training.

With more than 2,300 centres engaged nationwide after passing quality assurance processes, the programme covers more than 36 skills. 

But a growing dispute over payments, particularly the application of a 65 per cent attendance requirement, is now threatening to undermine its implementation in some centres.

Payment Dispute Threatens Training

At the centre of the dispute is a payment condition requiring beneficiaries to attain at least 65 per cent monthly attendance before centres can receive payment.

Participating centre operators argue that the condition conflicts with what they understood to be the payment arrangement in their agreements with the government, which they said was based on the number of verified trainees and agreed programme milestones.

They also object to what they described as the retrospective application of the attendance condition, arguing that it should not be imposed on agreements already entered into.

The operators said they support biometric attendance monitoring and other measures to ensure accountability, but questioned why centres should bear the financial consequences when some trainees fail to attend classes regularly.

One centre owner, who asked to remain anonymous, described the new payment arrangement as an attempt to frustrate training centres.

He stated that, “The new system is to defeat the centres. Instead of the agreement that they would pay centres based on the number of students, now they said no. 

“They did not revise the MoU, and they did not contact anyone. They just decided on their own on that 65 per cent,” he added.

According to him, the government was responsible for recruiting the beneficiaries, leaving centre operators with limited control over whether some of those trainees would remain committed to the programme.

He added, “They recruited the students themselves and they happened to lack interest in the programme.”

The centre owner argued that linking payments to attendance could leave operators financing training for beneficiaries whose recruitment and commitment were largely outside their control.

Centre Owners Count the Cost

Beyond the payment dispute, centre operators said they have continued to incur substantial expenses to keep their facilities running.

They are responsible for paying instructors, maintaining facilities and purchasing training materials while waiting for government payments.

One operator said a centre he knew received only N50,000 last month despite spending more than N300,000 on programme-related expenses.

He said his own centre had invested more than N10 million and expected to receive at least N15 million for the first month, but was paid only N3 million.

The disparity, he argued, makes it increasingly difficult for private operators to sustain the programme.

Another centre owner, Jamil Muhammad, not his real name, said operators could not continue financing government programmes indefinitely from their personal resources.

He stated that, “We cannot continue to finance the programme indefinitely while waiting for payments.”

For trainers, the financial pressure has also become a major concern.

Muhammad Kabir, not his real name, a trainer at one of the centres in Kano, said he had worked for almost three months without receiving his allowance.

He said the delay had affected the morale of trainers who depend on the payments to meet their personal and professional obligations.

Fear of Another Unresolved Government Programme

The payment difficulties have also raised fears among some operators that the TVET programme could eventually suffer the fate of previous government initiatives.

One centre owner said the programme might end without the government settling outstanding financial obligations to participating centres.

He cited N-Power and N-Skills under the previous administration, alleging that unresolved payment issues from those programmes remain a burden between operators and government.

He decried that, “We don’t want TVET to end the way N-Power and N-Skills ended. There are still backlogs with the government from those programmes.”

Our reporter gathered that for operators who have invested heavily in facilities, equipment and personnel, the concern goes beyond delayed payments. 

They fear that prolonged financial uncertainty could force some centres to withdraw from the programme before beneficiaries complete their training.

Centres Seek Government Intervention

Centre operators have appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, to intervene in the payment dispute.

Their demands include settling outstanding payments, reviewing the 65 per cent attendance condition, and deciding that any new payment arrangement should apply prospectively rather than retrospectively.

They also want a mechanism to replace beneficiaries who stop attending classes, withdraw from the programme, or fail to meet attendance requirements.

The operators maintain that such a system would protect public funds while preventing training centres from bearing the cost of beneficiaries who are no longer participating.

The dispute has already prompted some centres to threaten to suspend participation if the payment issues remain unresolved.

The Daily Reality recalls that the operators had previously raised concerns over the financial implications of the attendance-based payment arrangement, warning that continued delays could make it difficult for centres to sustain their operations.

Graduates Left Without Promised Equipment

While centre operators struggle with payments, some beneficiaries are facing a different problem: completing their training without receiving the equipment they were promised.

Kabir Muhammad, another centre operator, alleged that beneficiaries from the first cohort were promised equipment after completing their training, but some graduated months earlier without receiving anything.

He further alleged that beneficiaries in the second cohort were told they would receive equipment before or around the time of their training, but some were already several months into the programme without receiving the promised package.

For beneficiaries, the equipment is not simply an additional benefit. It is expected to provide the means to apply the skills acquired during training and, potentially, begin earning an income.

Aisha Muhammad, not her real name, a graduate of the first cohort, said she completed her training but received no equipment afterwards.

“After we graduated, nothing was given to us,” she said.

The absence of the equipment has raised questions about what happens to beneficiaries after they receive training and certificates if they lack the basic tools needed to put their newly acquired skills into practice.

Financial Burden Extends Beyond Payments

The financial burden on centres extends beyond delayed government disbursements.

Operators are expected to maintain suitable training facilities, engage instructors and provide the materials required for practical sessions. 

Private centres, in particular, also face expenses such as rent, salaries, electricity, fuel and general maintenance.

An advocacy brief reviewed during the investigation also raised concerns about the pressure created by attendance-based payments. 

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It cited a Kano centre with 40 learners that received N50,000 for July, a figure the document said was insufficient to cover the centre’s operational expenses.

The centre operators argue that payment mechanisms must account for costs already incurred in delivering the training, rather than placing the entire financial burden on providers.

They said the government’s monitoring system should distinguish between centres failing to deliver training and centres that have fulfilled their responsibilities but are affected by beneficiary attendance.

Experts Question Sustainability

Education and skills development experts said the payment problems could affect centres’ ability to retain qualified trainers and maintain the facilities required for effective practical training.

Dr Abdussalam Muhammad Kani, Director, Career Services Centre, Sa’adatu Rimi College of Education, Kumbotso-Kano, said delayed payments could affect facilitator retention and centres’ ability to meet running costs.

He noted that training centres require money for facilitators, maintenance, fuel and instructional materials, stressing that prolonged delays could undermine programme delivery.

Dr Kani called for dedicated funding and a clear budgetary provision for the programme, alongside stronger monitoring, reporting and assessment mechanisms.

Sulaiman Dandago, a lecturer at Aminu Kano College of Islamic and Legal Studies (AKCILS), said the programme’s success depends largely on clear implementation arrangements, adequate facilities, and the availability of qualified instructors.

He said centres must be equipped according to the number of trainees enrolled, while private providers must also cover expenses such as rent and staff salaries.

Dandago warned that failure to pay participating centres and trainers could demoralise those responsible for delivering the programme.

“If the Federal Ministry of Education fails to pay dues, how can the programme attain its objectives?” he asked.

The concerns come at a critical stage for a programme intended to provide practical skills to thousands of Nigerians and improve their chances of becoming economically productive.

For beneficiaries, however, the initiative’s success will not be measured by training alone. It will also depend on whether centres can remain operational, trainers are paid, certificates are delivered and graduates receive the tools promised to help them turn acquired skills into livelihoods.

The payment dispute therefore raises a broader question about the programme’s sustainability: whether the government can maintain a system capable of supporting training centres throughout the process, from recruitment and instruction to certification and post-training assistance.

All efforts to obtain the Federal Ministry of Education’s response to the concerns raised by the centre operators proved abortive as of the time of filing this report.

By Uzair Adam

Ko Da Naka, in collaboration with Afaq Educational Foundation, has called on Nigerians to reject President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 general elections if his administration fails to address economic hardship and insecurity in the country.

The groups made the call in a communiqué issued after a national conference on “An Assessment of the State of the Nation under President Tinubu and the 2027 General Elections,” held in Kano on Sunday.

The Daily Reality reports that Ko Da Naka is a civic organisation committed to promoting good governance and community development, while Afaq Educational Foundation focuses on education and community development initiatives.

The conference, attended by about 1,000 participants, deliberated on the economy, insecurity, migration of skilled professionals, the role of religious scholars in promoting truth and justice, and the 2027 general elections.

On the economy, the participants expressed dissatisfaction with the policies of the Tinubu administration, particularly the removal of the fuel subsidy, changes to the naira exchange-rate system, increases in electricity tariffs and tax reforms.

According to the communiqué, the policies had increased the burden on ordinary Nigerians at a time when rising living costs and unemployment were already threatening citizens’ well-being.

“The government has continued to insist on pursuing these policies, which are increasing hardship among the people,” the communiqué stated.

The groups criticised the administration for prioritising revenue growth rather than reviewing policies they said were worsening the economic difficulties facing Nigerians.

The participants consequently resolved that it would be inappropriate to re-elect the Tinubu administration in 2027 if it failed to change what they described as harmful economic policies.

On security, the groups expressed concern over continued killings and kidnappings by bandits, as well as other acts of terrorism across the country.

The communiqué particularly called for urgent action to address insecurity in the North-West and other affected parts of Nigeria.

It warned that failure to improve the security situation should compel President Tinubu to reconsider seeking another term in office.

“Alternatively, the President should refrain from contesting the 2027 election,” the communiqué stated.

It added that if he chose to contest despite the security challenges, Nigerians should reject his candidacy and give an opportunity to those capable of providing better leadership.

The groups also condemned the continued migration of Nigerian doctors, teachers, engineers and other professionals to foreign countries.

They attributed the trend to unemployment, inadequate facilities, poor working conditions and the difficult economic situation in the country.

The communiqué urged the government to improve salaries and working conditions while providing opportunities for professional development.

It also called for programmes that would encourage skilled Nigerians abroad to return home, warning that failure to address the situation should result in a change of government at the next election.

“If the government fails to do this, it should be replaced at the next election,” the participants resolved.

On the role of religious scholars, the groups urged clerics not to become political stooges or support injustice for personal benefit.

Instead, they said religious scholars should speak truth to power and defend justice irrespective of political party, ethnicity or religion.

“Religious scholars should praise what is good and criticise what is wrong, regardless of political party, tribe or religion,” the communiqué stated.

It further urged religious leaders to educate Nigerians on the importance of choosing competent leaders as the 2027 general elections approach.

The participants said Nigeria’s future was more important than any political party, ethnic group or region, urging citizens to use their votes to seek leadership capable of bringing relief from hardship, prosperity, security, employment, justice and development.

The groups advised Nigerians to assess all candidates carefully, taking into consideration their experience, integrity, competence and policies rather than voting based solely on religion, ethnicity, region or political affiliation.

The communiqué also urged Nigerians to continue praying for divine guidance in choosing leaders.

It prayed that Almighty Allah would guide the country’s leaders and provide Nigerians with good leadership in the forthcoming 2027 general elections.

The Daily Reality reports that economic hardship, insecurity and the migration of skilled professionals remain major issues in Nigeria, with the concerns expected to feature prominently in political debates ahead of the 2027 elections.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Independent National Electoral Commission has commenced the distribution of non-sensitive election materials to some states ahead of the 2027 general elections.

INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja at a national stakeholders’ meeting held to mark 100 days to the 2027 general election.

Amupitan also revealed that contracts for offshore production and fleets had been awarded, while production of 57,000 new Bimodal Voter Accreditation System devices was at an advanced stage.

He said the commission had also begun receiving new operational vehicles, while construction and renovation projects were progressing across its offices nationwide.

The INEC chairman further disclosed that work was ongoing on dedicated BVAS storage facilities and local government area offices as part of preparations for the election.

“Some states have started receiving some non-sensitive materials ahead of the election, procurement for the printing of ballot papers and results sheets is nearly completed, and advancement towards the final contract awards.

“The contract for solar power installation across all the commission offices has been awarded to ICT infrastructure upgrades to critical ICT applications and core infrastructures have been implemented.

“The procurement department continues to monitor suppliers, contractors, and interdepartmental delivery schedules closely, so that all the procurement aligns with our statutory timelines,” he said.

The commission is also carrying out ICT infrastructure upgrades and implementing measures to strengthen critical applications and core infrastructure ahead of the elections.

According to Amupitan, the procurement process is being closely monitored to ensure that suppliers and contractors meet the commission’s schedules and statutory deadlines.

The latest developments form part of INEC’s wider preparations for the 2027 general elections, which are now 100 days away.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Independent National Electoral Commission has announced plans to deploy Artificial Intelligence tools as part of its result verification process for the 2027 general elections.

INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, disclosed this on Tuesday during the commission’s world press conference and national stakeholders’ forum on preparations for the 2027 elections.

Amupitan said the commission had established a dedicated Artificial Intelligence division within its Information and Communication Technology department to oversee the integration of AI into its electoral processes.

“Artificial intelligence governance, the commission has established a dedicated artificial intelligence division with the ICT department.

“Automated AI auditing tools are being integrated into our results verification process under a five-pillar AI governance framework operating under the masonry human governance oversight and AI framework policy is being finalised by the commission,” he said.

The planned AI deployment is expected to support the commission’s efforts to verify election results as part of its broader preparations for the 2027 polls.

The INEC chairman said the commission was developing a governance framework to guide the application of artificial intelligence within the electoral system.

According to him, human oversight would remain part of the framework as the commission works towards integrating automated auditing tools into its result verification procedures.

The announcement comes as INEC continues preparations for the 2027 general elections, with the commission undertaking several technological and administrative measures aimed at strengthening the electoral process.

By Hadiza Abdulkadir 

Ghana has introduced a cedi-to-yuan payment system aimed at facilitating imports from China and reducing the country’s reliance on the US dollar for trade transactions.

Stanbic Bank Ghana is currently piloting the system, while Ghana Commercial Bank is developing a similar service, according to reports.

The new arrangement allows payments to be processed through China’s Cross-Border Interbank Payment System (CIPS), enabling direct yuan payments from cedi-denominated accounts.

By bypassing the need for US correspondent banks, the system is expected to cut transaction costs and shorten processing times for China-related trade.

The move marks a significant step in Ghana’s efforts to diversify its payment infrastructure and strengthen trade ties with China, its largest import partner.

By Muhammad Sulaiman

The Supreme Council for Shariah in Nigeria (SCSN) has announced the death of its Secretary-General, Malam Nafiu Baba Ahmad, mni, who passed away in the early hours of Tuesday, 6th October 2026 (23 Rabi al-Thani 1448 AH). He was 70.

Born on 11 June 1956 in Zaria, Kaduna State, Malam Nafiu Baba Ahmad was a distinguished Islamic activist, legal practitioner, public intellectual, and administrator. He received a strong foundation in Qur’anic and Islamic education before studying law at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

As Secretary-General of the SCSN, he occupied a pivotal position in the Council’s administration and strategic direction, coordinating its programmes and representing its institutional interests in engagements with government, civil society, and the media. The Council described his death as a great loss to the Nigerian Muslim community and the nation at large.

His professional career spanned Nigeria’s financial and corporate sectors. He served at the Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) as Director/Board Member and Corporate Secretary, and earlier at First Interstate Merchant Bank Ltd. as Secretary and Assistant General Manager.

In the Islamic banking sector, he played a leading role in establishing Nigeria’s first Islamic banking system and served as an Independent Non-Executive Director of Jaiz Bank Plc.

A Member of the National Institute (mni) of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, he was recognised for his contributions to national policy discourse and strategic thinking.

The Council extended its deepest condolences to his immediate family, Shurah members, relatives, colleagues, and all who knew him, praying that Allah forgives his shortcomings, accepts his good deeds, grants him Al-Jannatul Firdaus, and gives his family and the entire Ummah the strength to bear the loss.

By Haruna Sheena

We have often compared the ease of living with the national minimum wage and how much easier it is for other nations to adapt to global economic disruption because of what they earn.

Recently, the demand for a ₦300,000 minimum wage has once again brought the issue of workers’ salaries and the rising cost of living in Nigeria into the spotlight, when the Federal Workers Forum called on the Federal Government and the National Assembly to review the current ₦70,000, saying it is no longer enough to meet the basic needs of workers.

Interestingly, beyond the ₦300,000 minimum wage, the forum also proposed a new salary structure that would set the highest-paid Level 17 federal officer at ₦1.5 million per month, arguing that the current salary structure does not reflect the economic situation many Nigerians face.

This demand is understandable when we look at the cost of living in the country today, especially with the more recent event where petrol inches close to ₦1,500, resulting in the price of food, transportation, accommodation, electricity, cooking gas and other basic needs making it difficult for many workers to survive on the present income scale.

This portends that a salary that seemed very reasonable barely three years ago can no longer provide the same standard of living its negotiators envisaged when they put ink to paper.

Many families now have to make difficult choices every month. Some workers may be forced to reduce the amount of food they buy, delay medical treatment, move to cheaper accommodation or depend on loans to meet their daily needs.

Parents also struggle with school fees, uniforms, books, and transportation costs for their wards’ education. These pressures show that the issue is not only about earning more money, but also about living with some level of dignity.

In 2024, the national minimum wage was increased from ₦30,000 to ₦70,000 after negotiations between the Federal Government and organised labour. When they agreed on that amount, they added a caveat: the deal would be reviewed every three years instead of five. This means that the next formal review is due only in 2027.

However, this raises another question. If the current wage is not supposed to be formally reviewed until 2027, why are workers already asking for an increase to ₦300,000?

I don’t think the workers are necessarily saying the government should ignore the three-year agreement. Rather, their demand can be seen as a plea for the government to consider the current economic situation before the next scheduled review.

The cost of living doesn’t wait for a particular year to change, and workers may feel their salaries are already falling behind the prices of basic necessities. So the question is whether raising the minimum wage to ₦300,000 is the best solution.

There is no doubt that a higher salary would give workers more room to support themselves and their families. It could make it easier to pay rent, transport costs, school fees, food expenses and other bills. It could also improve workers’ morale because people constantly worried about meeting their basic needs may struggle to concentrate fully on their jobs.

When workers are paid fairly, they may feel more valued and motivated to do their jobs. Better salaries can reduce the pressure that pushes some people to look for extra jobs or depend on borrowing.

In the public sector, more specifically, improved wages could also help reduce the temptation for corruption, although salary increases alone cannot completely solve that problem.

One must also bear in mind that increasing salaries alone may not solve Nigeria’s cost-of-living crisis. If the prices of food, transportation, housing and other necessities continue to rise, workers may eventually find themselves in the same situation again, even after receiving higher salaries.

To put things in perspective, if a worker’s salary increases but transport fares and food prices also rise as businesses try to cover higher costs, the worker may not feel much difference in the long run.

Landlords may also increase rent when they believe tenants are earning more. This is why the government needs to look beyond salaries and address some of the reasons basic goods and services are so expensive.

Importantly, the government also needs to consider whether it can comfortably afford such a large increase. Moving from ₦70,000 to ₦300,000 is a major increase, and implementing it across the public sector would have significant financial implications for both the public and private sectors.

For Nigeria as a nation, it will definitely need to balance workers’ welfare with its ability to fund other important areas such as healthcare, education, infrastructure, and security.

At the same time, the government should not use the same argument to ignore the difficulties workers face, because they deserve serious attention, as salaries should allow people to live reasonably and meet their basic responsibilities.

If the government cannot immediately approve the full demand, it should still engage with labour and consider other forms of support.

The discussion should not be limited to federal workers. Millions of Nigerians work in the private sector, small businesses and informal jobs, where many people earn even less than the official minimum wage. Any serious discussion about improving Nigerians’ standard of living should therefore consider workers across different sectors.

We also need to focus on reducing the cost of basic goods and services. If the government can improve transportation, electricity, local food production and other areas that directly affect household expenses, workers may be able to get more value from their salaries. Supporting farmers, improving roads and reducing the cost of moving goods could also help bring down food prices.

The ₦300,000 demand should therefore be seen as more than just a request for more money. It is also a reflection of the frustration many workers feel about their purchasing power.

The earlier three-year review agreement matters, but the current situation also shows why the government needs to watch for economic changes before the next official review date. If workers are already struggling in 2026, telling them to wait until 2027 may not address the problem they face now.

For me, the solution shouldn’t be to simply increase salaries and leave everything else unchanged. Nigeria needs a combination of higher wages and policies that ease pressure on people’s incomes. A salary increase can provide relief, but controlling the rising cost of basic necessities is what will make that relief meaningful in the long term.

The demand for a ₦300,000 minimum wage has opened an important conversation. The question is no longer just how much Nigerian workers earn, but how much that money can actually provide for them.

Until Nigerians can earn a reasonable income and afford basic necessities, the conversation about the country’s cost-of-living crisis will continue.

Sheena Haruna is a 300-level Mass Communication student at Bingham University. She can be reached at: sheena123haruna@gmail.com.