Minimum Wage: “₦250,000 Not Sacrosanct,” Says Labour

In an ongoing debate over the new minimum wage for Nigerian workers, organized labour has emphasized its willingness to negotiate on the proposed figures.

The tripartite committee on minimum wage recently concluded its deliberations, presenting President Bola Tinubu with two recommendations: ₦62,000 from the government and private sector, and ₦250,000 from organized labour.

Appearing on Channels Television’s “The Morning Brief,” Trade Union Congress (TUC) President Festus Osifo indicated that no figure is immutable, stressing the need for flexibility in the discussions. “When we give figures, there is always room to meander, there is always room for us to do some adjustment here and there,” Osifo said. He noted that a previous strike was triggered by the government’s rigid stance on the wage proposal.

President Tinubu is expected to forward an executive bill to the National Assembly soon. Osifo underscored that labour leaders will continue their efforts until a satisfactory Minimum Wage Act is enacted. Should the President propose a figure unfavourable to labour, they plan to lobby lawmakers for a more acceptable outcome.

Meanwhile, President Tinubu, at a dinner marking Nigeria’s 25 years of democracy, reaffirmed that the new minimum wage would be contingent on the government’s financial capacity. “The minimum wage is going to be what Nigerians can afford, what you can afford and what I can afford. Cut your coat according to your size, if you have size at all,” he stated.

Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo expressed concerns about approving an unsustainable wage, warning of potential financial burdens on state governments and the private sector. Speaking at The Platform Nigeria event, Soludo said, “I pity the President because it will all be on his head if the consequences come down… if whatever is negotiated is unsustainable.”

The discussions on the new minimum wage have been protracted, with both sides recently adjusting their demands. Labour reduced its request from ₦494,000 to ₦250,000, while the government increased its offer from ₦60,000 to ₦62,000. The final decision now rests with President Tinubu, who will send an executive bill to the National Assembly for legislative action.