Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has announced that the state will implement a minimum wage of N85,000 for its workers, surpassing the N70,000 approved by the Federal Government in July.
President Bola Tinubu had signed the new N70,000 minimum wage into law, following extensive negotiations between government officials, labor unions, and the private sector.
Speaking during an appearance on Channels Television’s *Politics Today* on Wednesday, Sanwo-Olu clarified that Lagos is not aiming to outdo other states but is setting this figure based on its capacity to afford it.
“I’m pleased to inform you that Lagos State has agreed with our unions on a minimum wage of N85,000,” Sanwo-Olu said. “It’s not a competition with other states. This decision reflects what we can afford, considering the cost of living in Lagos, which we recognize is higher than in many other parts of the country.”
The governor also mentioned that the state had already increased salaries earlier in the year and expressed his desire to raise the minimum wage further to N100,000 by January 2025.
“We’ve adjusted salaries earlier in the year for our workers, and we will continue to do so. I hope to return in January to announce a minimum wage of N100,000—not to make others look bad, but to ensure that our people are earning a wage they can live on. I want them to feel that the government is truly working for them,” he added.