Nigeria is currently experiencing severe socioeconomic pressures manifested in rising inflation, food insecurity, poverty, hardship and insecurity. These conditions have substantially weakened the purchasing power of workers and raised concerns about the adequacy of the existing minimum wage. This study examines the relationship between hardship, hunger, poverty, insecurity and inflation and the need for a new minimum wage in Nigeria, drawing on deprivation theory as the study's theoretical perspective. The study adopts a mixed-method approach, combining quantitative and qualitative approaches to provide a broader understanding of the socioeconomic and policy dimensions of minimum wage adequacy. The study population comprises 110 respondents, including civil servants, politicians and members of the security forces residing in three selected states in Nigeria. Data were collected through a 25-item structured questionnaire based on a five-point Likert scale, complemented by secondary information from relevant economic and policy sources. Descriptive statistics, including simple percentages, means and standard deviations, as well as inferential techniques, were employed to examine the relationships among the variables. The study finds that government policy and attitude, economic depression, poor leadership, and ecological and security challenges jointly contribute to hardship, inflation, insecurity and poverty in contemporary Nigeria. These conditions have significantly eroded the purchasing power of workers and increased the difficulty of meeting basic household needs. The study therefore argues that the review of the minimum wage should be understood not merely as a wage-policy intervention but as part of a broader strategy for addressing poverty, food insecurity, declining purchasing power and socioeconomic vulnerability. The study recommends that government strengthen mechanisms for monitoring the prices and availability of essential goods and services, improve economic management, and periodically review wages and salaries in line with prevailing economic conditions to ensure that workers receive a wage capable of supporting a dignified standard of living.