The push by Nigerian workers for a new national minimum wage to cope with the current cost of living crisis is set to face delays. The federal government announced that President Bola Tinubu will engage in further consultations before making a decision on the matter.

Information Minister Mohammed Idris conveyed this information to State House correspondents following a Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting chaired by President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

Idris explained that while the tripartite committee’s report on the minimum wage issue has been submitted to the president, the complexity of the matter necessitates additional discussions. He noted that the Federal Executive Committee had discussed the issue but decided to defer an immediate decision.

This delay is intended to ensure that all stakeholders, including state governments and private sector representatives, have the chance to provide their input. Idris emphasized that the national minimum wage impacts all levels of government and the private sector, making it essential to consider various perspectives before moving forward.

“The memo was stepped down to enable Mr. President to consult further, especially with state governors and the organized private sector, before he makes a presentation to the National Assembly,” Idris said. “The new national minimum wage affects not just the federal government, but also state governments, local governments, and the private sector, hence it’s called the national minimum wage.”

It is recalled that the Labour had gone on a two-day strike on June 3, 2024, due to the tripartite committee’s failure to agree on a new minimum wage and to protest the electricity tariff hike. The implementation of the new minimum wage, once agreed upon, will be retroactive to May 2024.

Meanwhile, the organized labour indicated that the new national minimum wage is expected to be finalized by early August 2024. Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) President Comrade Festus Osifo mentioned this during a meeting with officials from the Kogi State government.

Osifo stressed the urgency of updating the minimum wage to address the economic challenges faced by Nigerian workers. He highlighted that the TUC, along with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), is working diligently to ensure the new minimum wage bill progresses swiftly through the National Assembly and receives presidential assent by the end of July or early August.

He urged state governments to prepare for the new wage implementation, citing Nasarawa State’s proactive measures to set aside funds for this purpose. Osifo affirmed the TUC’s readiness to monitor state-by-state implementation once the new wage act is passed, urging states like Kogi to prioritize the new minimum wage amidst revenue challenges.

Osifo stated, “We are working to ensure that before the end of July, we have a new minimum wage that has passed through the necessary processes and received presidential assent. This will significantly improve the plight of workers, enabling them to afford basic necessities despite high inflation.”

Prompt salary payments, he added, benefit not only workers but also stimulate the state’s economy. On his part, Usman Ododo, Kogi State’s special adviser on labour matters, assured that under Governor Ododo’s administration, the rights and interests of workers will be adequately protected and promoted.