Minimum wage: Again, governor’s resolve to meet Buhari

Governors of 36 states of the federation under the auspices of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), have again resolved to me President Muhammadu Buhari, over the minimum wage issue.

The governors who will be attending the extended National Economic Council, Friday hope there will be resolution on the issue before the year ends.

The NGF chairman and Governor of Zamfara State, Abdulaziz Yari, accompanied by Akinwumi Ambode (Lagos), Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi), Simon Lalong (Plateau), Mohammed Abubakar (Bauchi), Udom Emmanuel (Akwa Ibom), Dave Umahi (Ebonyi), Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), and Nasir El-Rufai (Kaduna), had last month met with Buhari to present another formula to address the issue of minimum wage to him.

Yari had told newsmen at the last emergency meeting that it is impracticable to implement the N30,000 minimum wage without downsizing the workforce all over the country.

He added that the only alternative to paying the N30,000 minimum wage was for the federal government to accede to the review of the national revenue allocation formula or the downsize the workforce. 

Buhari had while receiving the report of the committee said he would subject it to all processes after which a bill would be sent to the National Assembly for passage into law.

Briefing newsmen at the end of the meeting, the Head Media Public Affairs of the NGF, Abdulrazaque Barkindo, said: “It was a very short meeting, of course the very last one for the year, the meeting welcomed the newest governor in its midst, the Osun state governor, Adegboyega Oyetola.

“The meeting resolved to meet the president on the issue of the minimum wage which hopefully will be resolved before the end of the year. The governors are also meeting the president tomorrow (Friday) to thank him for the way he has handle the economy,” he said.

Meanwhile Friday’s the extended NEC in line with the Buhari administration’s Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) for inclusive growth human development nationwide, will be chaired by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo.

The NEC extended National Economic Council, comprising of Governors of all the States of the Federation, Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, will focus on the Human Capital Development Programme of this administration hinged on “investment in our people.”