FG confirms new minimum wage implementation from May 1, 2024 amidst Labour demands for higher pay
The Federal Government has provided assurance to workers across Nigeria, affirming that the new minimum wage will come into effect starting May 1, 2024. Despite ongoing negotiations led by the Tripartite Committee On National Minimum Wage, Minister of State Labour Nkeiruka Onyejeocha assured workers that they will not suffer any financial setbacks during this transition period.
Addressing attendees at the May Day celebration in Abuja, Onyejeocha acknowledged the delays in finalizing the new wage structure but assured that consultations are underway to expedite the process. However, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have pressed President Bola Tinubu’s administration to accelerate the wage review process. Recent demands from Organised Labour have reached ₦615,000, citing economic challenges and the soaring cost of living in Nigeria.
The labour unions have emphasized that the current minimum wage of ₦30,000 is inadequate to meet the basic needs of the average Nigerian worker. They also pointed out that not all governors have adhered to the existing wage award, which expired in April, five years after the enactment of the Minimum Wage Act of 2019 by former President Muhammadu Buhari.
In contrast, President Tinubu commended Nigerian workers for their pivotal role in the nation’s progress. Vice President Kashim Shettima conveyed this appreciation during a gathering in Abuja commemorating the 2024 Workers’ Day. Tinubu expressed the government’s openness to consider proposals from the committee regarding the new national minimum wage, emphasizing that the current administration’s reform initiatives aim to enhance Nigeria’s economic prosperity.
