Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has said life has become increasingly unbearable for Nigerians under President Bola Tinubu, noting that the N70,000 minimum wage can purchase only about 50 litres of petrol at N1,400 per litre.
Atiku, who was the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, argued that the figure exposes how far the naira has fallen and how badly policies have hurt ordinary workers.
He said a minimum wage that disappears after a few litres of fuel cannot meaningfully support a family, let alone cover food, rent and school fees.
His remarks add to the growing debate over the real value of the wage increase and whether it has eased hardship. For millions of Nigerians, the arithmetic is painfully familiar.
Transport, electricity and food costs continue to rise faster than incomes, leaving many households struggling to cope.
Atiku’s criticism reflects widespread frustration with an economy that keeps squeezing the poor.
