Nigeria’s Petrol Station Workers Reveal Widespread Underpayment Despite New Minimum Wage Law
Petrol station workers across Nigeria have come forward to expose significant wage disparities, with many earning far below the newly established national minimum wage of N70,000 approved by President Bola Tinubu.
Under the collective voice of the Concerned Petrol Station Workers (CPSWs), employees are highlighting a persistent pattern of inadequate compensation and challenging working conditions throughout the nation’s fuel retail sector.
According to Daily Trust investigations, most fuel station attendants receive monthly salaries ranging between N20,000 and N30,000, less than half the mandated minimum wage. A female attendant working along Nnamdi Azikiwe Expressway in Kaduna revealed her monthly earnings of just N20,000, stating she continues working due to limited alternative opportunities. “Imagine what N20,000 can do for you in this country,” she remarked.
Another attendant in Tudun Wada, Kaduna, who earns N25,000 monthly, shared that he often walks to work, unable to afford transportation costs. “Life has been difficult. I’m already thinking of quitting,” he disclosed.
While some larger establishments offer better compensation, with salaries reaching N50,000 or higher, this remains the exception rather than the norm. As confirmed by an attendant named Ustaz in Kaduna, “My station pays the minimum wage, but others pay as low as N30,000.”
Beyond wage concerns, workers face numerous occupational hazards. Comrade Ibrahim Zango, the CPSWs coordinator, emphasized that employees regularly endure exposure to fuel fumes, risk of fire outbreaks, and potential robbery attacks without adequate safety equipment or insurance coverage. “We are the ones who stand under the scorching sun and in the rain to serve millions every day, yet we are treated as if our lives don’t matter,” Zango stated.
The group has called upon the Federal Government, Ministry of Labour and Employment, and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to enforce compliance with minimum wage requirements and implement stronger worker protections. “We are the unsung heroes of Nigeria’s oil economy. Our dignity should not be sacrificed for profit,” Zango added.
In related industry news, a recent agreement was reached between PENGASSAN and the Dangote refinery management regarding 800 previously dismissed employees, following federal government intervention. The resolution includes plans to reinstate the affected workers.
The ongoing situation highlights the broader challenges facing workers in Nigeria’s petroleum retail sector as they advocate for fair wages and improved working conditions.
