National Telescope national telescope newspaper
By Taiwo Niyi
Organised labour groups have strongly supported President Bola Tinubu’s recent signing of the National Minimum Wage Act into law, urging immediate implementation.
The new law, signed at 2 p.m. on Monday at the Council Chamber of the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja, raises the national minimum wage from N30,000 to N70,000 per month.
Benson Upah, Head of Public Affairs at the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), commended the development, calling on the government to ensure prompt adjustments, payments, and settlement of arrears.
Tommy Etim, Deputy Vice President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), also praised the new law, stressing the importance of its swift application across federal, state, and private sectors.
The signing ceremony was attended by prominent political figures, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, and House Leader, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, who represented House Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas.
This legislative milestone follows protracted negotiations that concluded on July 18, where President Tinubu agreed to the new wage level after labour unions initially demanded N250,000 per month.
Senate President Akpabio expressed enthusiasm for the law, emphasising its broad applicability and commitment to ensuring that no worker earns below the new minimum wage.
He also noted that the President would sign the 2024 budget amendment bill by Wednesday.
On July 15, the Federal Executive Council directed the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning to prepare an amendment bill for the 2024 Budget.
A week later, President Tinubu proposed a ₦6.2 trillion increase to the national budget, raising it from ₦28.7 trillion to ₦35.055 trillion.
The Federal Government has pledged to closely monitor compliance with the new minimum wage.
Minister of State for Labour Nkeiruka Onyejeocha confirmed that payments would be backdated to May 2024, as agreed.
The negotiations involved all relevant stakeholders, including governors, local government representatives, and private sector participants, ensuring widespread support for the new wage law.
