NGF promises sustainable minimum wage to NLC, TUC.
The Nigeria Governors’ Forum promised a sustainable minimum wage to the Nigeria Labour Congress, Trade Union Congress, and workers on Thursday.
President Bola Tinubu formed a tripartite committee of government, labour, and business sector members in January to evaluate former President Muhammadu Buhari’s N30,000 minimum salary.
The committee recently considered an N615,000 minimum wage proposal from the NLC and TUC.
Despite May Day festivities on Wednesday, the administration did not announce a new minimum wage due to its reluctance to accept Labour’s proposal.
The NGF’s 37-member tripartite committee reviewing the National Minimum Wage is still in consultations and has not finished its work, according to a communiqué signed by its Chairman and Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, and released to journalists on Thursday.
To evaluate if states can maintain an increased minimum wage, the governors’ forum is assessing each state’s fiscal capabilities and the impact of various proposals.
The communique stated, “The Forum celebrates with workers across the country for their dedication to service and patience as we work with the Federal Government, labour, the organised private sector, and relevant stakeholders to establish a national minimum wage.
Despite the recent adoption of salary awards and partial wage adjustments, the 37-member tripartite committee on the National Minimum salary is still consulting and has not finished its job.
As committee members, we are assessing our state governments’ fiscal flexibility and the impact of various recommendations to reach a sustainable minimum wage. We promise greater salaries will result from current negotiations and remain dedicated to the process.”
According to the communiqué, the governors praised outgoing World Bank Country Director Shubham Chaudhuri and welcomed incoming Country Director Ndiame Diop.
Chaudhuri praised the Forum’s systematic coordination of developmental progress.
The NGF communiqué read, “He praised the forum’s non-partisanship, its Secretariat’s professionalism, and state governments’ commitment to mutual accountability mechanisms like Bank performance-based financing interventions. Members trusted Mr. Diop to lead the collaboration and look forward to a long-term relationship.
The Forum reviewed the amended National Policy on Justice (2024–2028) from the April 24–25 National Summit on Justice. Members committed to study summit submissions that may affect their states, including legislation revisions, administrative improvements, and justice sector strengthening policies.
Also, the conference will examine state judicial officer pay and court infrastructure.
The forum heard from Ms. Rukaiya El-Rufai and Dr. Ahmad Abdulwahab of the National Human Capital Development (HCD) Programme – Core Working Group Secretariat. States’ marginal gains increased Nigeria’s Human Development Index (HDI), particularly in health, nutrition, education, and labour force participation.
“To scale impact and ensure sustainability, a revised governance and implementation roadmap was proposed after reviewing the programme design and national strategy. Members committed to domesticating recommended national HCD plan adjustments.
The Forum sent condolences to Governors Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State and Prince Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State following the April 26th and 27th, 2024 petrol tanker and gas explosion events.