Paying Less Than N70,000 is a Crime, Employers Risk Jail – FG

The Federal Government has issued a strong warning to private employers, stressing that any organization paying its workers below the N70,000 minimum wage risks legal action and potential jail time. The directive applies to all sectors, including those hiring through private employment agencies.

This announcement was made by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Kachollom Daju, during the 13th Annual General Meeting of the Employers Association for Private Employment Agencies of Nigeria (EAPEAN) in Lagos. Daju, represented by the ministry’s Director of Employment and Wages, John Nyamali, reiterated that the new minimum wage is now a legal requirement and must be implemented nationwide.

“The minimum wage is now a law, and any employer paying less than N70,000 will be committing a punishable crime,” Daju stated. He emphasized that it is the responsibility of private employment agencies to ensure compliance when negotiating contracts. “The least-paid worker in Nigeria should take home N70,000 after deductions,” he added.

In response, Dr. Olufemi Ogunlowo, President of EAPEAN, voiced his association’s commitment to the new wage, but called for clarification from the government and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on whether the N70,000 figure refers to net or gross pay. Ogunlowo stressed that clarity is needed to avoid confusion during implementation.

The NLC Chairperson for Lagos State, Funmilayo Sessi, further urged private employers to ensure the new minimum wage is paid, stating that the current economic hardships have eroded the value of workers’ incomes. “N70,000 is still insufficient given the current realities, but it must be paid as the new baseline. We will enforce this in Lagos to prevent any violations,” Sessi said.