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Explore the stark contrast in minimum wages across top oil-producing African nations, with Nigeria trailing behind at ₦30,000. Calls for reform intensify as comparisons reveal Gabon at ₦376,500 and Equatorial Guinea at ₦323,878.

The recent disclosure of minimum wages across top oil-producing African nations by StatiSense has sparked varied responses within Nigeria. StatiSense's list revealed a stark contrast in minimum wages, with Nigeria positioned at the lower end of the spectrum at ₦30,000, while countries like Gabon and Equatorial Guinea boast significantly higher figures of ₦376,500 and ₦323,878, respectively.

The list of minimum wages for the top oil-producing African countries is as follows:

  1. 🇬🇦 Gabon: ₦376,500
  2. 🇬🇶 Equatorial Guinea: ₦323,878
  3. 🇱🇾 Libya: ₦313,440
  4. 🇩🇿 Algeria: ₦226,400
  5. 🇹🇳 Tunisia: ₦199,573
  6. 🇪🇬 Egypt: ₦194,700
  7. 🇨🇮 Ivory Coast: ₦188,250
  8. 🇹🇩 Chad: ₦150,587
  9. 🇨🇲 Cameroon: ₦105,106
  10. 🇨🇩 DR Congo: ₦94,947
  11. 🇦🇴 Angola: ₦58,569
  12. 🇬🇭 Ghana: ₦38,768
  13. 🇳🇬 Nigeria: ₦30,000
  14. 🇸🇩 Sudan: ₦7,590
Some voices advocate for a drastic increase in Nigeria's minimum wage, suggesting figures as high as ₦1,000,000, underscoring the belief that Nigeria's economic status should allow for a more substantial minimum wage. Others propose more moderate adjustments, suggesting a realistic range of ₦170,000 to ₦190,000, emphasizing the need for a balanced approach.

Criticism is directed towards the government for what is perceived as misplaced spending priorities, with concerns raised about the allocation of resources away from essential areas like wage increases. There's a call for a nuanced examination of factors beyond just minimum wage figures, with considerations of GDP per capita, productivity, and the ease of doing business suggested as crucial metrics to inform wage policies.

These responses collectively reflect a sentiment of discontent with the current state of Nigeria's minimum wage, coupled with a call for more comprehensive economic reforms to address underlying disparities and improve the livelihoods of citizens.