The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has voiced its disagreement with the Federal Government over the new minimum wage for workers. This comes after the federal government recently approved an increase of between 25% and 35% in salary for Civil Servants across the Consolidated Salary Structures.
According to Emmanuel Njoku, the Head of Press of the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC), the increases will take effect from 1st January 2024. Njoku also stated that the government has approved increases in pension of between 20% and 28% for pensioners on the Defined Benefits Scheme, also effective from 1st January 2024.
However, the organised labour has submitted a proposal of N615,000 as the monthly minimum wage for workers, urging the federal government to approve it.
In a communique issued at the end of their meeting in Abuja on Wednesday, the governors said they are reviewing their fiscal spaces to arrive at an improved minimum wage that is sustainable.
The communique, signed by the Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Kwara State, Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq, stated that the 37-member tripartite committee inaugurated on the national minimum wage is still making consultations and is yet to conclude its work.
The governors commended Nigerian workers for their dedication to service and patience in the face of many challenges. They promised that better wages would be the inevitable outcome of ongoing negotiations.
The communique reads, “While we acknowledge various initiatives adopted recently by way of wage awards and partial wage adjustments, it is imperative to state that the 37-member tripartite committee inaugurated on the National Minimum Wage is still in consultation and yet to conclude its work. As members of the committee, we are reviewing our individual fiscal space as state governments and the consequential impact of various recommendations, to arrive at an improved minimum wage we can pay sustainably. We remain committed to the process and promise that better wages will be the invariable outcome of ongoing negotiations.”
Additionally, the governors commiserated with Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State and Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State over the recent petrol tanker and gas explosions in their states. They called for proper maintenance of trucks, especially those fitted to convey compressed natural gas (CNG), and recommended appropriate training for drivers.
