70,000 New Minimum Wage: Ensuring Balance, Prompt Payment And Uniform Implementation
By Ishowo Olanrewaju
It is a welcome development that the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led federal government has finally concluded negotiations with the organised labour and fixed a new national minimum wage for Nigerian workers. This comes over a year after the removal of fuel subsidy and the promise of an improved minimum wage. Following Tinubu's meeting with labour leaders at the State House on Thursday, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, disclosed that the Nigerian government would pay N70,000 as new minimum wage to workers. This development is expected to bring relief to Nigerian workers who have been severely impacted by some of the jaded economic policies of the present administration.
A few days before his meeting with the organised labour, President Tinubu had written to the National Assembly to seek its approval to increase the 2024 budget by ₦6.2tn to accommodate the new minimum wage. I commend the president for taking this step which reflects, not only his understanding of the plights of the labour force, but also his dedication to ensuring a fair and just economic environment for all Nigerians.
However, let me add that it is imperative that the federal government strike a delicate balance between the demands of labour and its capacity to pay especially on the consequential Adjustment. This balance is crucial to avoid overstressing the government's resources while still meeting the legitimate expectations of the workers. Furthermore, it is essential to carry the relevant private sector stakeholders along in this process, as they too would be under a severe pressure to pay their workers, the same rate as the federal government. The private sector plays a significant role in the economy and their inclusion will ensure that the new minimum wage is sustainable and beneficial across board. By achieving this balance and collaboration, the new minimum wage can bring relief to workers while also supporting the nation's economic growth.
The federal government’s initiative must also be mirrored at the state level to ensure uniformity and effectiveness. I, thwrefore, urge all state governors, led by the NGF Chairman, Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, to also go back to their respective Houses of Assembly to revise their 2024 budgets in accordance with the reality of the imminent minimum wage. It is crucial that the new minimum wage is captured in these revisions such that the payment starts as soon as the National Assembly approves the new wage bill. This collective effort will demonstrate a unified commitment to improving the living standards of Nigerian workers nationwide.
It is alarming to observe that some governors have colluded with the National Assembly to avoid reviewing Section 34, which empowers NASS to make laws regarding the national minimum wage. Decentralizing this power would constitute a sabotage by the NASS, as many governors are not even willing to review the current wage, to start with. This law, which enables their lack of commitment, undermines our democratic system and the welfare of workers. We must condemn these actions, as allowing governors to determine the minimum wage individually could lead to gross inconsistencies and exploitation across different States of the Federation.
The National Assembly holds significant power in this process. It is essential that NASS members act with the fear of God and genuine sympathy for the masses they represent. The onus is on them to ensure that the new minimum wage is not only passed but that it is a living wage. The proposed ₦62,000, while an improvement, is still meager and may not withstand the economic pressures faced by many Nigerians. The NASS has the authority to review and amend the amount proposed by the executive and they should use this opportunity to advocate for a wage that truly meets the needs of the people.
In light of these concerns, I appeal to Senator Saliu Mustapha representing Kwara Central and Honorable Muktar Shagaya representing Ilorin West in the Senate and House of Representatives respectively, to resist any attempts at the NASS to perpetrate this sabotage. They must ensure that the integrity of the national minimum wage is preserved and that it remains a federal mandate, ensuring uniformity and fairness for all Nigerian workers. Their proactive stance will be crucial in safeguarding the rights and well-being of their constituents and the nation at large.
Ishowo Olanrewaju, A Public Affairs analyst and Advocate of Good Governance writes from Ilorin, Kwara State.
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