Nigeria’s economic landscape has often been likened to a tightrope, where the government’s decisions, no matter how well-intentioned, seem to send mixed signals to the people. One moment, the government promises relief, and the next, it introduces new policies that increase hardship. A clear illustration of this paradox is the simultaneous increase in the minimum wage and fuel price, an action that feels like giving with the right hand and collecting with the left.

The push to increase the national minimum wage has long been a demand of labor unions, activists, and the struggling Nigerian workforce. For years, inflation, devaluation of the naira, and skyrocketing costs of living have rendered the wages of the average Nigerian almost meaningless. A significant wage increase was seen as a potential lifeline for workers barely managing to make ends meet. It was a symbol of hope, suggesting that the government was sensitive to the plight of workers and determined to ensure that people could live with dignity.

This long-overdue wage raise was hailed as a victory by many, with promises of a new era of economic empowerment. However, just as the celebrations began, a darker cloud loomed.

The announcement of an increase in fuel prices struck with the force of a sledgehammer, leaving many Nigerians reeling from the impact. Fuel prices, especially in a country where public transportation and businesses are largely dependent on petroleum, have a ripple effect on every aspect of the economy. From transportation costs to food prices and housing, the price hike in fuel immediately triggered an inflationary spiral. For many, the increased minimum wage was swallowed up by the rising cost of basic goods and services.

It is important to remember that in a developing country like Nigeria, the cost of fuel directly influences the daily expenses of millions of people. From the petty trader who needs to transport her goods, to the student who commutes to school, and the businessman running a generator to power his office, the rising cost of petrol sends shockwaves across all sectors of society. The knock-on effects are immediate and brutal.

While the government’s decision to raise the minimum wage might have come from a place of goodwill, the simultaneous fuel price hike makes it feel like a zero-sum game. For every extra naira that citizens may earn from a wage increase, a larger portion of that income is now being drained by the surge in fuel prices. It feels like the promise of prosperity is taken away as soon as it is given, leaving the average Nigerian in a state of frustration and confusion.

Given the foregoing situation, little wonder Comrade Joe Ajaero, the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), while speaking at the 2024 National Minimum Wage Implementation Workshop for South Zone, on September 18, 2024, on Wednesday specifically said the hike in fuel price by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has worsened the misery of Nigerians.

Without a doubt, this situation creates a cycle of poverty for the lower and middle classes, who are already facing challenges such as food inflation, high housing costs, and an unreliable electricity supply that forces many to rely on generators. Despite earning a slightly higher wage, their disposable income diminishes as essential goods become more expensive.

The heart of the matter, however, lies in Nigeria’s soaring inflation. The inflation rate, which has been in double digits for years, continues to skyrocket. According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), inflation recently hit record highs, severely eroding the purchasing power of the naira. For the average Nigerian worker, what matters more than an increase in wages is the value of their money. And in a climate of high inflation, even a wage hike offers little comfort. The reality is that without addressing inflation, any increment in wages amounts to little more than window dressing.

The reason for the foregoing situation cannot be farfetched as inflation is an invisible tax on the poor and middle class. As the prices of goods and services increase, people find that their money buys less. From basic foodstuffs like rice and beans to transportation and rent, everything is getting more expensive. The inflationary pressure is not only a function of fuel prices but is also exacerbated by other structural issues in the economy, such as poor infrastructure, a weak industrial base, and the over-reliance on imports.

The truth is, the hardship in the land has gone beyond simply ameliorating its impact by increasing workers’ salaries. To solve the economic challenges Nigeria faces, a more comprehensive approach is needed, one that tackles the root causes of inflation and not just the symptoms.

The government must prioritize strategies aimed at stabilizing the economy, improving food production, and reducing the cost of living. Tackling inflation should not be left solely to wage increases, which are reactive measures that do not address the structural problems causing price hikes. A well-coordinated set of policies that focus on economic growth, diversification, and productivity will be more effective in the long run.

It is crucial that the government finds a way to stem the tide of inflation if the country is to experience any real economic relief. Relying on wage increases to mitigate hardship is unsustainable because inflation will continue to outpace any such increases, leaving the populace in a perpetual state of struggle.

In fact, the government must prioritize measures that cut across monetary policy reforms, boosting domestic reforms, boosting domestic production, reducing the cost of doing business, strengthening economic diversification and carrying out tax and welfare reforms   to combat inflation.

At the heart of every economic decision is the human impact. The hardship many Nigerians are experiencing has gone beyond the breaking point. Increasing wages while simultaneously hiking fuel prices creates a painful paradox for workers. It is a glaring reminder that the current approach is unsustainable and insufficient to address the economic challenges at hand.

Given the foregoing unbearable situation, the government must act swiftly to ease the pressure on Nigerians. The focus must shift from merely increasing wages to creating an environment where workers can thrive without fear that their next salary will be consumed by inflation. This requires clear, bold, and decisive action on multiple fronts; not just on wages, but on the very structure of the Nigerian economy.

In fact, raising the minimum wage and hiking fuel prices at the same time creates a frustrating scenario for Nigerian workers, one where they receive with one hand and give back with the other. While the intention behind the wage increase is positive, it is drowned out by the harsher realities of inflation and rising costs.

To truly improve the lives of the Nigerian people, the government must go beyond surface-level adjustments like salary hikes. It must tackle inflation head-on, reduce the cost of living, and create an economic environment that fosters growth and stability. Only then will Nigerians see the tangible benefits of economic policies, and only then will the government be seen as giving with both hands, instead of taking back what it has given.