President Bola Tinubu will engage in additional consultations on the new national minimum wage before presenting an executive bill to the National Assembly, according to the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris.
Speaking to State House Correspondents after the Federal Executive Council meeting presided over by the President, Idris stated that the Council discussed the matter and decided to step down the memo. This will allow the President to consult with state governors, the organised private sector, and organised labour.
Idris emphasized that the new national minimum wage is not solely a federal government issue but also impacts state governments, local governments, and the private sector. He assured that President Tinubu would have an informed position after wider consultations, as the new wage is a national issue requiring input from all stakeholders.
This decision comes amid ongoing negotiations between the government and labour unions on a new minimum wage. During a Tripartite Committee meeting, the government team and the organized private sector proposed N62,000, up from the current N30,000, while the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) demanded a N250,000 living wage. The government warned that such a high figure could lead to mass retrenchment and harm the economy.
The Minister of Information urged labour unions to consider the broader economic implications and the welfare of over 200 million Nigerians. He highlighted government initiatives, like the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas program, aimed at alleviating the cost of living.
The President’s decision to consult further follows comments from NLC President Joe Ajaero, who noted that organized labour expected the President to reach out to the Tripartite Committee members to harmonize the figures after a stalemate in the committee meeting.
Idris said, “The Federal Executive Council deliberated on the report of the Tripartite Committee on the new national minimum wage. The decision is that because this issue involves federal, state, and local governments, as well as the organized private sector and labour, the memo was stepped down to enable Mr. President to consult further. This consultation is essential before presenting an executive bill to the National Assembly.”
Idris added, “Mr. President has studied the report and will consult widely to have an informed position. The new national minimum wage affects all levels of government and the private sector, hence the need for thorough consultation before a final submission to the National Assembly.”
