Former governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, has criticised wage exploitation in Nigeria, warning that inadequate compensation negatively impacts national security and economic productivity.
He stated that Nigerian workers are now poorer, despite the recent increase in the national minimum wage approved by the Nigerian Government.
Speaking at the Distinguished Personality Lecture organised by the National Institute for Security Studies (NISS) in Abuja yesterday, Oshiomhole highlighted how insufficient wages create a cycle of economic hardship, leaving workers vulnerable to manipulation and radicalisation.
The lecture, titled “National Minimum Wage: Reward System and Productivity in Africa,” was part of the Executive Intelligence Management Course (EIMC 17), aimed at fostering a deeper understanding of the relationship between wages, security, and productivity.
Oshiomhole argued that fair wages are essential to improving workers’ motivation, efficiency, and overall economic growth.
The former Edo governor, now senator representing Edo North in the National Assembly, said: “Workers face fluctuating salaries and job insecurity, as employers can easily hire and fire employees.
“Despite paying union dues, workers often receive minimal support from trade unions, leading to questions about their effectiveness.
“Historically, the right to organise was suppressed, limiting workers’ ability to negotiate collectively. Industrial sabotage emerged as a form of protest against poor conditions.
“Collective bargaining and the right to strike are essential tools for negotiating fair wages and working conditions. Workers often resort to ‘work to rule’ when their rights are restricted.
“Significant disparities exist between minimum and maximum wages across sectors, leading to dissatisfaction among workers. The wealthy often benefit from state protection, while the poor struggle.
“The minimum wage is meant to protect vulnerable workers but is often not enforced. Setting minimum wages too high can lead to job losses, while setting them too low can result in exploitation.
“Inflation severely impacts purchasing power, making it difficult for workers to maintain a decent standard of living. Historical comparisons show that many workers are poorer now than before, despite nominal wage increases.”
The Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Adeola Ajayi, echoed Oshiomhole’s concerns, noting that better wages reduce workers’ vulnerability to abuse and promote national stability.
In his remarks, Joseph Odama, Commandant of NISS, commended Oshiomhole’s long-standing commitment to labour advocacy and emphasised the importance of fair wages in ensuring sustainable development.
He said: “The national minimum wage is a pressing issue in our economic discourse today, affecting millions of Nigerians and influencing both individual lives and national productivity.
“A well-designed reward system can drive worker motivation, improve efficiency, and promote economic growth, while poorly structured policies can demoralise the workforce.
“To aim for a more equitable society, it is essential to understand the complex relationship between wages, rewards, and productivity.”
