The 2023 governorship candidate of the Labour Party in Lagos State, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, has faulted the recent increase of the minimum wage to N85,000, arguing that it is insufficient to meet the high cost of living in the state.
While he commended Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for the wage boost, he emphasized that it falls short of what workers truly need.
In a tweet posted on Thursday, Rhodes-Vivour highlighted the challenges faced by residents due to escalating expenses. He emphasized that a minimum wage of “at least N100,000 is necessary for Lagos workers to achieve parity with their counterparts in other states.” He pointed out that the city ranks second nationally in the average cost of a healthy diet, making it the second most expensive city in Nigeria for food.
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During an interview on Channels TV on Wednesday, Governor Sanwo-Olu announced the wage increase and stated, “It’s not a competition, so I’m not going to say that we’re paying more than some other people; it’s a function of affordability and a function of capacity.”
He indicated his intention to further increase the minimum wage to N100,000 in the future, saying, “I want to come back to you in January and say that I’ve been able to increase the minimum wage in Lagos to N100,000. This is not because I want to make anybody look bad; it’s really because I want my people to have a living wage.”
Rhodes-Vivour, however, criticized the governor for boasting about increasing the state budget from N600 billion to over N1 trillion, arguing that such claims are overshadowed by pressing issues in Lagos. “Governor Sanwo-Olu boasts of increasing the Lagos budget… However, these claims seem to be at odds with the reality of Lagos,” he tweeted.
“The city still grapples with poor infrastructure, low investment in human capital and education outcomes, a struggling public transportation network, increasing slums and informal communities, and very few social welfare programs. These are the issues that truly matter to the people of Lagos, not just the size of the budget.”
Rhodes-Vivour further emphasized that over 70% of Lagos State’s operating revenue comes from taxes, with PAYE contributing 45%. He questioned what tangible benefits citizens receive from their contributions. “The critical question is: What tangible benefits do Lagosians receive in return for this significant contribution? Do their children have access to quality public education? Is there an efficient and affordable public transportation system? Are the roads well-maintained? Is social housing readily available?” he asked.
He concluded by reflecting on the slow development in the state under the ruling All Progressives Congress, which he accused of wasting 24 years. He remarked, “Finally, while it is fair to commend the opening of the blue rail, albeit after 16 years, the question is, what kind of city are we building, who are we building for, and what opportunities do we seek to tap into?”
