Primate Ayodele warns N500K minimum wage would crash economy, urges gradual increase
Primate Elijah Ayodele, leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, has declared the Nigerian government cannot pay a N500,000 minimum wage without triggering total economic shutdown. In a statement today through his media aide Oluwatosin Osho, the popular prophet urged labour leaders to be considerate in their demands, arguing N500K is economically unsustainable.
Ayodele acknowledged the current minimum wage "barely helps households feed" and must increase, but insisted any hike must be gradual to avoid economic hardship. His intervention adds a prominent religious voice to ongoing minimum wage negotiations between organised labour and the federal government.
The cleric's position reflects broader economic concerns: a sudden jump to N500,000 would multiply the federal wage bill dramatically, potentially forcing mass layoffs, inflation spikes, or increased borrowing. Labour unions have pushed for substantial increases citing soaring living costs, while government representatives cite revenue constraints.
For workers tracking this debate, Ayodele's stance signals influential quarters view N500K as a non-starter. The realistic path appears to be incremental adjustments — the question is whether labour will accept phased increases or hold out for a figure economists warn could destabilise the economy.
Where do you stand: accept gradual increases that lag inflation, or risk economic disruption pushing for N500K?