Expect better minimum wage, NGF tells organized labour, Nigerians

The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has given assurances to both Nigerians and organized labour that the current negotiations will yield a more favourable minimum wage outcome.

Persecondnews recalls that the governors had earlier turned down the Federal Government’s proposal of a minimum wage of N62,000, citing that some states would need to resort to borrowing to meet the salary requirements.

Despite this, organised labour continues to demand a wage of N250,000.

Following the Federal Executive Council’s (FEC) decision to defer the minimum wage discussion on Tuesday, the governors convened an emergency meeting in response, prompted by President Bola Tinubu’s desire to engage in wider consultations on the matter.

Ahmed Salihu, Acting Director of Media for the NGF, signed a communiqué after an emergency meeting that lasted into the early hours of Thursday, revealing that the Forum thoroughly discussed a range of pressing national issues.

It reads: “The Forum received a presentation from the Minister of Women Affairs on the World Bank-Nigeria for Women Project Scale-Up, along with other activities of the ministry. Members noted the importance of the project and emphasized the need to implement it at the state level as initially conceived, as the states are the primary obligors of the project.

“The governors acknowledge the work and contributions of the Ministry of Women Affairs in promoting gender equality, empowering women, and advancing social development across Nigeria.

“The Forum discussed the new national minimum wage. The governors agreed to continue engaging with key stakeholders to reach a mutually agreeable solution. We remain dedicated to the process and assure that better wages will result from the ongoing negotiations.”

The 36 state governors emphasized the importance of the World Bank-Nigeria for Women Project Scale-Up and urged that it be implemented at the state level, as initially planned, since the states are the primary stakeholders and bear the main responsibility for the project’s success.

The communiqué added: ”We, members of the NGF, at our meeting held today, deliberated on issues affecting the country.

“Members received the Acting Country Director of the World Bank, Mr. Taimur Samad, and his team to discuss the bank’s various programmes currently being implemented in the states, including HOPE Series of Projects: Nigeria Human Capital Opportunities for Prosperity and Equality, Food and Nutrition Security, NFWP-SU: Nigeria For Women Project Scale Up, NG-CARES: Nigeria Community Action (for) Resilience and Economic Stimulus Programme SABER: State Action on Business Enabling Reforms Program, SPIN: Sustainable Power and Irrigation for Nigeria Project.

“Members expressed willingness to continue to provide the much-needed support to ensure programme effectiveness across the country.

“Members received a briefing from Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee. He highlighted the progress made regarding the ongoing fiscal policy and tax reforms. He sought the input and support of their excellencies on a number of proposals which would directly impact the subnational level of government.

“Members pledged their support for the Committee to ensure the successful implementation of these reforms and to collaborate closely to address any challenges that may arise.”