Succour came the way of Nigerian workers on Thursday as President Bola Tinubu approved N70,000 minimum wage for them with a promise for a review every three years. A rescheduled meeting with the labour leaders ended in jubilation as the workers gave salutary greetings to the President in appreciation.

The Tripartite Committee on the Minimum Wage negotiation had earlier recommended N62,000.00, a figure rejected by the labour as being too low for their demand but rejected by some State governments as unaffordable. A meeting between the labour unions and President Tinubu exactly one week ago could not reach an amicable agreement.

The President has also exercised discretion like his predecessor by raising the adding N8,000 to the recommendation of the Tripartite Committee. President Buhari also raised the minimum wage to N30,000 after the committee recommended N27,000.00.

But President Tinubu, as a father of the nation has promised to find ways to assist the private sector and the sub-nationals to pay the minimum wage, a statement on the X handle of Mr. Bayo Onanuga issued after the meeting explained. The modalities to achieve this were not stated.

According to Mr Onanuga, President Tinubu announced the decisions at the meeting held with leaders of TUC and NLC on Thursday in Abuja, the second time the parties met in 7 days.

The Labour leaders applauded President Tinubu for the fatherly gesture as the President also promised to use his discretionary powers meet the demands of university unions demanding unpaid 4 months salaries.

Briefing reporters after the meeting, Comrade Joe Ajaero, President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), said the unions had accepted the offer. He was flanked by Comrade Festus Usifo, President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC),
Speaking to State House reporters after the meeting with the President, said the unions agreed to the offer because of other incentives attached.

He said another reason for accepting the offer is because “the President promised a review every three years as against what obtained in the past.”

Comrade Joe Ajaero, further explained that the Organised Labour declined President Bola Tinubu’s proposition to implement a ₦250,000 minimum wage and raise petrol prices.

He said, “Accepting ₦70,000 was the best way to save Nigerians from further hardship,”

“At last week’s meeting, the President proposed that ‘I will give you guys ₦250,000’ if you allow me to equally increase the pump price of petroleum products’ and we said, ‘No, we need to go and consult’.

“Today, we went there to tell him, ‘No’. The labour movement can make sacrifices without allowing Nigerians to suffer further on the pump price of petroleum products increase.”

The new minimum wage when approved by the National Assembly will replace the N30,000 minimum wage which expired on April 18, 2024.

The Governors of Edo and Lagos States had earlier approved a minimum wage of N70,000.00 for workers in their states.
It is now expected that the President will forward an executive bill to the National Assembly for their consideration and approval.

Tinubu Gives 36 CNG Buses to Labour Unions

As a way of ameliorating the high cost of living by workers, President Bola Tinubu has promised to give 36 CNG-powered buses with a sitting capacity of 100 each to the TUC and NLC.

This was one of the highlights of the meeting between the Federal Government and the two central trade unions in Abuja on Thursday.