Analysis Puts Modest Monthly Cost of Living for Urban Workers at ₦372,300

A cost-of-living analysis estimates that a self-reliant worker in a Nigerian city needs about ₦372,300 monthly to cover modest essentials. The estimate includes rent, food, transport, healthcare, utilities, personal care, clothing and contingency savings, but excludes family support, entertainment and skills development. Housing was estimated at ₦125,000 monthly, based on saving towards annual rent. Transport could take about ₦99,000 for 22 workdays, while a basic monthly food budget was put at ₦47,670. The analysis places the figure more than ₦302,000 above the current ₦70,000 national minimum wage. The findings have renewed debate over the next minimum-wage review. Labour is expected to seek a much higher wage floor, while employers argue that negotiations should consider productivity, inflation, energy costs and the ability of businesses and state governments to pay. Compliance with the current wage also remains uneven, particularly for some local government workers, primary school teachers and primary healthcare workers.

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