FG, Labour Agree on ₦70,000 Minimum Wage — Minister

 

The Federal Government of Nigeria and the Organised Labour have reached an agreement to set the new minimum wage at ₦70,000. This decision was finalized during a meeting between President Bola Tinubu and leaders from the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) in Abuja.

Key Announcements

Minister's Statement:

• Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information: Announced the agreement and highlighted the increase from the previous ₦62,000 minimum wage.
• Official Submission: The new minimum wage proposal will be submitted to the National Assembly for approval.

NLC and TUC Leaders' Input:

• Joe Ajaero, NLC President: Confirmed the ₦70,000 agreement and emphasized that the review period for the minimum wage will now be every three years, rather than five.
• Festus Osifo, TUC President: Supported the new review period, noting the need to adjust wages more frequently due to rapid economic changes.

Labour Minister's Role:

• Nkiruka Onyejeocha: Confirmed the President's directive to address payment issues for the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU).

Background

Previous Negotiations:

• Initial Proposals: A tripartite committee proposed ₦62,000 while labour demanded ₦250,000, given the economic impact of inflation and high living costs.
• Current Minimum Wage: Previously set at ₦30,000, which labour argued was unsustainable.

President's Input:

• Economic Realism: During recent discussions, President Tinubu stressed the importance of setting realistic and sustainable wage expectations.
• Democracy Day Speech: The President announced the upcoming submission of an executive bill for the new minimum wage to the National Assembly.

Conclusion

The agreement on a ₦70,000 minimum wage, along with more frequent reviews, aims to better reflect Nigeria's dynamic economic environment. This decision marks a collaborative effort between the government and labour unions to improve workers' living standards and address ongoing economic challenges. The next step involves legislative approval to finalize and implement the new wage structure.