The Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Bayo Onanuga, has highlighted the federal government’s efforts on wage adjustments while encouraging workers to explore additional means of improving their earnings.
Speaking during an interview on Lagos Talks FM aired on Friday, March 6, 2026, Onanuga addressed issues relating to workers’ income and the recent adjustment of the national minimum wage.
He stated that the lowest-paid workers in the country had experienced an increase in their wages, noting that the government had taken steps to improve their financial situation. “And if we also look at even the lowest paid worker, from 30,000 Naira or so, it’s now 70,000 Naira,” he said.
Onanuga explained that individuals earning the minimum wage should also consider taking further steps to improve their financial prospects. According to him, workers should not expect to remain on the same income level throughout their careers.
“People sometimes, if I were really the lowest paid worker, and my salary is 70,000, I don’t want to remain on 70,000 all through my life. I’ll probably maybe go to school or something, or go and do some other things to enhance my income. Not even in UK, even in the US,” he said.
He referenced practices in other countries where workers take on additional employment in order to supplement their income. He cited the example of a concept commonly referred to as “moonlighting,” which involves taking on secondary work outside one’s primary job.
“In US, there’s a term they always use, they call it moonlighting. You find somebody, because in that place, many people are on hourly wages or something like that. People will find that even at the end of the month or the end of the week, what they earn cannot take care of them,” he said.
The presidential adviser further explained that workers in such systems often seek extra employment opportunities to meet their financial obligations. “So, they do moonlighting. Either they do cap service, or they do some extra work, so that they can earn additional income,” he said.
Onanuga maintained that individuals earning the minimum wage should consider additional activities to supplement their income rather than relying solely on their salaries. “I don’t expect anybody who earns 70,000 to believe that he can continue to live on 70,000. He needs to do something extra to add to his income,” he said.
He concluded by reiterating that the government had implemented several measures aimed at improving the welfare of citizens. “So, what I’m saying, the government has done a lot of things,” he added.
Watch the video below from minutes 13:02 to 13:09: