The Federal Government on Tuesday took a significant step towards improving the remuneration of Nigerian workers this year, as government inaugurated a 37-member tripartite Committee to discuss and implement a new national minimum wage

Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, who constitutionally is the Chairman of the National Economic Council inaugurated the committee and charged its members to submit their resolutions on time and to seek wider and outside consultation before concluding the process.

Minimum wage is reviewed periodically between the government and the Labour Unions. Another round of negotiations was due this year but the removal of fuel subsidies last year may have accentuated the early commencement of negotiations. Demand for wage increase after the removal of subsidies in the President’s inauguration broadcast on May 29, sparked a fierce campaign by organized labor demanding a new minimum wage, arguing that the average Nigerian’s current income is insufficient to cover the high cost of living in the nation.

As a result of the government’s slow response, labour unions launched a series of industrial actions, despite the government’s promises to act on workers’ demands.

The Vice President stated during the committee’s inauguration today that the committee was formed to ensure that workers in the country receive a decent living wage and comply with the existing National Minimum Wage Act of 2019, which will expire in a few months.

The committee, chaired by the former Head of Service of the Federation, Bukar Goni Aji, is made up of relevant stakeholders from the federal, state, and private sectors, as well as organized labor across the country.

The individuals on the committee that represent the federal government include -Dr. (Mrs.) Yemi Esan, Head of the Civil Service of the Federation; Dr. Nnamdi Maurice Mbaeri, Permanent Secretary, GSO. OSGF; Mr. Wale Edun, Minister of Finance & Coordinating Minister of the Economy; Alhaji Atiku Bagudu, Hon. Minister of Budget Economic Planning; and Ekpo Nta, Esq., Chairman/CEO, NSIWC – Member/Secretary.

Also, members of the committee representing the states include- Sen. Bala Mohammed, the governor of Bauchi State; Alh. Umar Dikko Radda, the governor of Katsina State; Prof. Charles Soludo, the governor of Anambra State; Sen. Ademola Adeleke, the governor of Osun State; Mr. Otu Bassey Edet, the governor of Cross River State; and Alh. Mohammed Umar Bago, the governor of Niger State, who represents the North Central region.

From the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) – Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, Director-General, NECA; Mr. Chuma Nwankwo; Mr. Thompson Akpabio and also members from the Nigeria Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), include Asiwaju (Dr) Michael Olawale-Cole, National President; Hon. (Dr) Ahmed Rabiu, National Vice President; and Chief Humphrey Ngonadi (NPOM), National Life President.

The members from the National Association of Small and Medium Enterprise (NASME) are Dr. Abdulrashid Yerima, President & Chairman of the Council; Hon. Theophilus Nnorom Okwuchukwu, Private Sector representative; Dr. Muhammed Nura Bello, Zonal Vice President, North West and also from the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) are Mrs. Grace Omo-Lamai, Human Resource Director, Nigerian Breweries; Segun Ajayi-Kadir, mni, Director-General, MAN; Lady Ada Chukwudozie, Managing Director, Dozzy Oil and Gas Limited.

From the organised labour, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Comrade Joe Ajaero, President, NLC; Comrade Emmanuel Ugboaja, mni; Comrade Prince Adeyanju Adewale; Comrade Ambali Akeem Olatunji; Comrade Benjamin Anthony and Prof. Theophilus Ndukuba.