The Tripartite Committee on the National Minimum Wage has recommended varying minimum wage rates across the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria, citing the need for stakeholder involvement in the process.
Chaired by Ekpo Nta, the Chairman of the National Salaries, Incomes, and Wages Commission, the committee emphasized the importance of active participation from stakeholders during a public hearing scheduled for March 7 in Lagos, Kano, Enugu, Akwa Ibom, Adamawa, and Abuja.
“We invite state and local governments, labour unions, employers of labour, civil society groups, small and medium enterprises, and other stakeholders in the six geopolitical zones to attend,” stated the committee’s chairman.
Stakeholders are encouraged to present memoranda, including proposals for new national minimum wage rates.
Here’s a breakdown of the recommendations presented across the six zones:
North West: Labour unions proposed a minimum wage of N485,000, citing the dynamics of the national economy.
North East: Unions recommended a monthly minimum wage of N560,000, while some state governments suggested N45,000.
North Central: The Federal Capital Territory NLC chapter suggested a minimum wage of N709,000, while the TUC proposed N447,000.
South West: The NLC demanded N794,000 as the new minimum wage for the region.
South South: The NLC in Akwa Ibom proposed N850,000, expressing dissatisfaction with states’ non-implementation of the existing N30,000 minimum wage.
South East: The NLC and TUC jointly recommended N540,000 and N447,000, respectively, citing significant erosion of the purchasing power of the 2019 N30,000 minimum wage.
The committee’s recommendations come amidst economic challenges and inflationary pressures, with the current N30,000 minimum wage set to expire at the end of March 2024. The committee urges swift resolution and early submission of reports to address the evolving economic landscape.
