Senate President Godswill Akpabio has announced that Nigerian employers are now required to pay their employees a minimum wage of ₦70,000 per month.
This new mandate, affecting roles such as housemaids, drivers, and gatemen, was formalized on Tuesday as the Senate passed the new minimum wage bill into law.
During the plenary session, Akpabio emphasized that no worker, including those in domestic and service roles, should receive less than ₦70,000. “If you employ additional hands in your tailoring business, a housemaid, a driver, or a gateman, the minimum monthly wage must be ₦70,000,” he stated.
This legislative move follows President Bola Tinubu’s recent approval of the new wage threshold after discussions with labor organizations. The minimum wage bill, which stipulates the ₦70,000 rate and a review cycle every three years, was swiftly processed by both the Senate and the House of Representatives.
The bill has successfully passed through the required readings and voice votes in both chambers. It now awaits President Tinubu’s formal assent to become law. Once enacted, it will establish a new minimum wage standard across Nigeria, aiming to address wage disparities and improve living standards for workers.
