Work on a new national minimum wage has been temporarily halted. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has decided to consult further before presenting an Executive Bill to the National Assembly.
This decision was made during a Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, where the President received the Tripartite Committee’s report on minimum wage from Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) George Akume.
The report, presented by Tripartite Committee Chairman Bukar Goni Aji, recommended a minimum wage of N62,000, based on submissions from federal and state governments as well as the Organised Private Sector (OPS). However, labour representatives recommended N250,000.
Governors have expressed concerns about their ability to pay the proposed N62,000. Similarly, the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) indicated that unless the revenue formula is adjusted to provide more funds to local governments, it would be impossible to meet the N62,000 wage.
Minister for Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, informed reporters of the President’s decision to pursue wider consultations.
He emphasised that the new national minimum wage involves not just the federal government, but also state governments, local governments, the organised private sector, and organized labour.
“The memo was stepped down to enable Mr. President to consult further, especially with the governors and the organised private sector, before an executive bill is presented to the National Assembly. Mr. President is going to consult further so that he can have an informed position,” Idris said.
This decision follows a statement by NLC President Joe Ajaero, who highlighted labour’s expectation for the President to harmonise figures with the Tripartite Committee. Ajaero noted that Labour considered the final meeting of the committee to have ended in a stalemate.
The FEC also made significant decisions regarding the procurement of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses and arms, ammunition, and body scanners for the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
In a related development, the Synod of the Charismatic Bishop Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) in Kaduna, led by Archbishop Leonard Kawas, appealed to the Federal Government and Labour to reach an amicable consensus on the new minimum wage. The Synod urged the Federal Government to engage in dialogue with Labour and consider the current economic conditions.
They also called on the NLC to avoid shutting down the country with strikes, warning that such actions could lead to increased inflation and hardship.
“The Synod pleaded with the Federal Government to dialogue with Labour and be considerate of the present condition of the economy.
We pray that there will be a resolution between Labour and the Federal Government. But with all seriousness, any attempt to shut down the whole country will result in huge losses to the nation,” the statement read.
The Synod expressed hope that, with fervent prayers and continued negotiations, the country would overcome its current socio-economic challenges.
