‘Nigerians Earning ₦60,000 Are Better Off Than Many Who Japa Five Years Ago’ – Daniel Bwala

• Presidential spokesman Daniel Bwala says many Nigerians earning ₦60,000 salaries at home are better off than some of those who relocated abroad.

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Policy Communications, Daniel Bwala, has claimed that a Nigerian earning ₦60,000 monthly may be better off than many Nigerians who relocated abroad, particularly to the United Kingdom, due to the rising cost of living.

Speaking on The Morayo Afolabi Brown Show on Wednesday, Bwala said many Nigerians living overseas earn relatively high salaries but spend most of their income on rent, utilities and other essential expenses.

According to him, an average worker in the UK earns between £2,600 and £2,800 per month, but a significant portion of that income is consumed by living costs.

“When they go there and do a job, on average they earn about £2,600 or £2,800 a month. About £2,450 goes off. You pay power, internet, TV, rent. Rent alone is about £800, even if you’re living on the outskirts of London,” he said.

Bwala added that after covering basic expenses, many migrants are left with little disposable income, forcing some to work multiple jobs just to survive.

“At the end of the day, what you are left with is not much. So you are forced to do two or three jobs,” he said.

Comparing their situation with that of Nigerians earning ₦60,000 at home, Bwala argued that those living in Nigeria often benefit from family support and lower costs for certain services.

“I’m just giving an example. That ₦60,000 earner can still get help from family or friends. The cost of some social services here is almost zero compared to what people pay abroad,” he said.

He acknowledged that Nigerians abroad generally enjoy better infrastructure, healthcare and public services but maintained that many struggle financially because of the high cost of living.

Bwala concluded that improving infrastructure and public services in Nigeria remains a key objective of the President Bola Tinubu administration.