The Federal Government is set to inaugurate the Minimum Wage Committee on January 30, tasked with recommending a new national minimum wage for the country.
Following the removal of the fuel subsidy by President Bola Tinubu on May 29, 2023, the Federal Government implemented a ₦35,000 provision for each employee to mitigate the impact of the subsidy removal. However, organized labor insists that this amount is a temporary solution and advocates for a review of the minimum wage in 2024.
Notably, the current ₦30,000 minimum wage is scheduled to expire at the end of March 2024. Organized labor has expressed concerns in January 2024 regarding the government’s delay in inaugurating the new national minimum wage committee.
In a statement released on Sunday, Segun Imohiosen, the Director of Information at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, announced that the 37-member committee would be led by former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Bukar Aji. The committee’s composition includes representatives from state governments, the private sector, and organized labor.
Members of the committee include Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, Minister of State, Labour and Employment; Wale Edun, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy; Alhaji Atiku Bagudu, Minister of Budget Economic Planning; Dr. Yemi Esan, Head of the Civil Service of the Federation; Dr. Nnamdi Maurice Mbaeri, Permanent Secretary, GSO. OSGF; and Ekpo Nta, Esq, Chairman/CEO, NSIWC – Member/Secretary.
Additionally, representatives from various regions and sectors are part of the committee, ensuring a comprehensive and inclusive approach to the minimum wage review. These representatives encompass governors, ministers, and figures from organizations such as the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association, Nigeria Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, National Association of Small and Medium Enterprises, and the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria. Notable members from organized labor include Joe Ajaero, President of NLC, and Festus Osifo, President of TUC.
