Despite ongoing negotiations within the tripartite committee on national minimum wage, the Nigerian government has assured workers that the new minimum wage will take effect from today, May 1, 2024.
The Minister of State Labour, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, announced this on Wednesday while addressing Nigerian workers at the May Day celebration at the Eagle Square in Abuja.
She stated that although the new national minimum wage was not available before May 1, extensive consultations are being held to guarantee that the document is released as soon as possible.
Recall that the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have repeatedly urged President Bola Tinubu’s administration to expedite the revision of wage awards. Recently, Organised Labour has demanded a new minimum wage of N615,000 for workers, citing Nigeria’s numerous economic challenges and high cost of living.
According to the labour unions, the current minimum wage of N30,000 is insufficient to sustain the welfare of the average Nigerian worker. They also lamented that not all governors adhere to the current wage award, which expired in April, five years after the Minimum Wage Act of 2019 was signed by former President Muhammadu Buhari. This Act stipulates a review every five years to align with the contemporary economic needs of workers.
Amid these demands, President Tinubu commended the contributions of Nigerian workers to the nation’s growth. This commendation was conveyed in his address to the workers, presented by Vice President Kashim Shettima during the 2024 Workers’ Day event in Abuja.
President Tinubu expressed openness to receiving recommendations from the committee on the new national minimum wage. He assured that the reform agenda of the current administration is focused on Nigeria’s progress.
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