An Abuja-based politician, Austin Okai, has sparked debate online after claiming that residents earning less than N300,000 monthly are not significantly different from Almajiris.
According to Okai, the only thing separating low-income salary earners from Almajiris is the plate used by the latter to beg for money.
He made the comment in a Facebook post while arguing that the declining value of the naira has eroded workers’ purchasing power, making it increasingly difficult for many Nigerians to meet their basic needs with their salaries.
Okai said workers earning below N300,000 in Abuja struggle to maintain a decent standard of living due to the high cost of accommodation, food and transportation in the Federal Capital Territory.
He wrote:
“If your salary is not up to at least 300k in Abuja, the difference between you and Almajiri is just the plate. Business [is] a better alternative now. Our currency is destroyed.”
His comment has generated reactions online, with many debating the rising cost of living and the adequacy of salaries in Abuja.
