Why Does Nigeria’s Minimum Wage Debate Focus Mainly on Civil Servants?

I lived in the UK for six years and saw that a minimum wage is expected to apply across different kinds of work, from childcare and retail to security and hospitality. In Nigeria, the public debate often appears to focus on civil servants, while many private-sector workers earn far less for demanding jobs. Workers in betting shops, fast-food outlets and similar businesses may spend long hours on their feet, dealing with difficult customers, yet take home around ₦40,000 to ₦50,000 monthly. Labour unions should push for stronger enforcement of minimum-wage standards across private businesses, not only government employment. A minimum wage should protect every worker, regardless of sector.

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