ADVERTISEMENT

Council of State approves N27,000 as national minimum wage

President Muhammadu Buhari shakes hands with former Head of State, Abdulsalami Abubakar, with Senate President, Bukola Saraki in the background at the National Council of State meeting that held in the Presidential Villa on January 22, 2019

The decision was reached at the council's meeting which took place at the Presidential Villa on Tuesday, January 22, 2019, with former presidents and military heads of states, governors and leadership of the National Assembly in attendance.

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, disclosed the decision to State House correspondents after the meeting. He said the Federal Government will increase the amount to N30,000 for federal workers while noting that state governors can do the same for state workers.

"The bill approved by the Council include N30,000 minimum wage for Federal workers and N27,000 for states and private sector," he announced.

The minister also revealed that the council approved the frequency of review of five years for the minimum wage and also created an exemption for organisations with less than 25 employees.

ADVERTISEMENT

The decision comes just two weeks after President Muhammadu Buhari inaugurated a Technical Advisory Committee on the implementation of an increase in the National Minimum Wage.

The country's organised labour has been negotiating with the Buhari administration for over a year to increase the minimum wage for workers nationwide.

In November 2018, he received the recommendation of a tripartite committee he had set up in 2017 to propose a new minimum wage. The president expressed his commitment towards getting the recommendation passed by the National Assembly as soon as possible, with the new wage pegged at N30,000.

State governors have been the most vocal critics of the minimum wage increment as many have lamented that they cannot afford to pay the proposed N30,000 without having to resort to tough measures as drastic as a nationwide downsizing of the workforce.

During the inauguration of the Bismarck Rewane-led committee on January 9, Buhari expressed his commitment towards ensuring that the minimum wage is reviewed upwards despite prevailing fiscal challenges especially experienced by some state governments.

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: eyewitness@pulse.ng

Recommended articles

Lagos postpones eagerly anticipated Easter boat regatta indefinitely

Lagos postpones eagerly anticipated Easter boat regatta indefinitely

Third Mainland Bridge reopens in 1 week, formal ceremony later - Minister

Third Mainland Bridge reopens in 1 week, formal ceremony later - Minister

Sanwo-Olu opens 'Sunday market' on Good Friday for Easter shopping

Sanwo-Olu opens 'Sunday market' on Good Friday for Easter shopping

Wike thanks Tinubu for the opportunity to serve

Wike thanks Tinubu for the opportunity to serve

Barrister Bida pens special birthday prayer for President Tinubu, Nigerians

Barrister Bida pens special birthday prayer for President Tinubu, Nigerians

Tinubu’s aide distributes food items to 1,750 persons in FCT, Kwara

Tinubu’s aide distributes food items to 1,750 persons in FCT, Kwara

Court grants senator accused of forging NYSC certificate ₦50m bail

Court grants senator accused of forging NYSC certificate ₦50m bail

BREAKING: Delta monarch declared wanted by military surrenders to police

BREAKING: Delta monarch declared wanted by military surrenders to police

Renowned Canada-based Nigerian playwright, Oguntokun is dead

Renowned Canada-based Nigerian playwright, Oguntokun is dead

Pulse Sports

Nigeria vs Mali: Has Finidi George done enough to land Super Eagles job permanently?

Nigeria vs Mali: Has Finidi George done enough to land Super Eagles job permanently?

I want to emulate Keshi and win the AFCON - Finidi George shares ambitious Super Eagles dream

I want to emulate Keshi and win the AFCON - Finidi George shares ambitious Super Eagles dream

Michelle Alozie: I had to do it because of African referees

Michelle Alozie: I had to do it because of African referees

AC Milan star reveals he was named after Super Eagles legend Tijani Babangida

AC Milan star reveals he was named after Super Eagles legend Tijani Babangida

Give him the job! Super Eagles fans beg NFF to make Finidi George permanent coach after Nigeria's win over Ghana

Give him the job! Super Eagles fans beg NFF to make Finidi George permanent coach after Nigeria's win over Ghana

Super Eagles 2-1 Black Stars: Nigerians praise Iwobi, Lookman, Finidi George after friendly victory against Ghana

Super Eagles 2-1 Black Stars: Nigerians praise Iwobi, Lookman, Finidi George after friendly victory against Ghana

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT