NGF Urges Minimum Wage Committee to Consider State Variances

The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has advised the National Minimum Wage Committee to factor in the diverse circumstances and distinct characteristics of individual states when determining the appropriate minimum wage.

Labor unions have highlighted the inadequacy of the current national minimum wage of N30,000, pointing to the alarming 29.9 percent inflation rate reported by the National Bureau of Statistics.

In response, the Federal Government established a tripartite committee in early January to address the issue.

Vice President Kashim Shettima inaugurated the 37-member panel in Abuja, comprising representatives from federal and state governments, the private sector, and organized labor.

Following extensive consultations, workers from different regions have proposed varying minimum wage rates, leading the Federal Government Minimum Wage Panel to gather reports from public hearings held across the country.

In a recent virtual meeting, the NGF emphasized the necessity of including state policing as a critical amendment in the ongoing 1999 Constitutional review to rectify a fundamental flaw in the national security framework.

The forum also discussed states’ progress in implementing business-friendly reforms, including land administration enhancement, fostering Public-Private Partnerships, promoting investments, improving infrastructure, and refining regulatory environments through the World Bank’s State Action on Business Enabling Reforms Programme for Results.

Additionally, the NGF addressed concerns raised by the United States Embassy regarding illegal intercountry adoptions of Nigerian children, pledging to engage relevant government agencies to tackle the issue effectively.