Labour to Engage Governors in Talks as ₦70k Wage Gets N’Assembly’s Nod

Labour unions in Nigeria are planning to engage state governments to ensure compliance with the newly passed 2024 National Minimum Wage Amendment Act, which mandates a minimum monthly wage of ₦70,000 for workers.

The Senate approved the bill during Tuesday’s plenary session, following President Bola Tinubu’s request for an expedited passage. Both the Senate and House of Representatives quickly passed the bill through its first, second, and third readings, completing the process within an hour.

The new legislation replaces the 2019 National Minimum Wage Act, which had set the minimum wage at ₦30,000 with a five-year review period. The recent amendment reduces the review period to three years.

Senate Majority Leader Opeyemi Bamidele highlighted that the ₦70,000 figure was the result of extensive negotiations among stakeholders. Chief Whip Tahir Monguno emphasized the need for this update to reflect current economic realities.

There was unanimous support for the bill in both chambers, with no opposition raised during the deliberations. Senate President Godswill Akpabio facilitated the final voice vote, which confirmed the bill’s passage.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) had initially demanded a monthly minimum wage of ₦494,000, later adjusting their proposal to ₦250,000. After negotiations, the government’s offer increased from ₦60,000 to ₦62,000, before settling at ₦70,000.

Following the bill’s passage, the TUC urged state governments to avoid delays in implementing the new wage, stressing the urgency due to the current economic hardship. TUC National Vice President Tommy Etim underscored the importance of immediate action to alleviate hunger and socioeconomic challenges.

The NLC echoed this sentiment, encouraging state governments to follow the Federal Government’s lead and swiftly enact the new minimum wage law. NLC Head of Public Relations Benson Upah emphasized the necessity for timely compliance given the law’s retroactive application from April 2024.

Several states have already indicated their readiness to implement the new wage. Kwara State Governor AbdulRaman AbdulRazaq submitted a revised supplementary budget to accommodate the increased wage.

Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji assured workers of his commitment to the new wage, while Osun State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment Kolapo Alimi confirmed that Osun would comply despite financial strains, prioritizing workers’ welfare.