In a striking development that has captured the attention of political circles in Abuja, Nigeria and calls for questions on labour rights of Nigerians, an Aide to a Nigerian Senator has allegedly tendered resignation letter to his boss citing poor remuneration after many years of loyalty and servanthood to the serving senator.
Oluwatunbosun Awe, a political aide to Senator Olajide Ipinsagba representing Ondo North, is reported to have officially resigned, citing his monthly salary of ₦20,000 as unsustainable amidst Nigeria’s soaring inflation and the recent approval of a new national minimum wage.
Awe, who served as the liaison officer for Isowopo Ward 2 in Akoko North East Local Government, made his resignation public through a formal letter released on Wednesday. In his statement, he expressed frustration over the stagnant salary, which he argues is out of touch with current economic realities. Despite years of dedicated service and numerous appeals for a salary review, he stated that his requests had gone unaddressed.
“This is in response to the ₦20,000 monthly salary paid to me, which is significantly below the new national minimum wage of ₦70,000 recently approved by the National Assembly,” Awe explained. He further highlighted that his earnings had remained unchanged since he first worked for Senator Ipinsagba as a personal assistant during the latter’s tenure as Special Assistant on Industrialisation under former Governor Olusegun Agagu.
The resignation has sparked mixed reactions among political observers and associates of the senator. While Awe maintains that his decision is based on financial necessity, some allies of Senator Ipinsagba have dismissed the resignation as a matter of divided loyalty rather than genuine financial dissatisfaction. Bankole Akerele, one of the senator’s associates, remarked, “Awe should have shown appreciation instead of causing embarrassment. His resignation is more about divided loyalty than salary.”
The situation comes at a critical time as Nigeria adjusts to the newly approved minimum wage, putting pressure on employers in both the public and private sectors to reassess their compensation structures. The implications of Awe’s departure and the mixed reactions from the senator’s circle highlight the complex dynamics of political loyalty and financial pressures within Nigeria’s current economic climate.
As the political landscape continues to evolve, the focus now shifts to how Senator Ipinsagba will respond to this development and whether it will prompt a broader reassessment of compensation for aides and staff within the government.