Buhari raises hope on new minimum wage, inaugurates committee

President Muhammadu Buhari has set up a 30-member tripartite committee on national minimum wage to ensure “a fair and decent living wage”.

The president inaugurated the committee at the presidential villa, Abuja, on Monday.

Referring to workers as vital elements in the nation’s growth and development, he said the committee’s duty would be to renegotiate the national minimum wage for the workers.

The national minimum wage is currently N18,000 per month.

Buhari said since the nation’s last minimum wage instrument has expired, necessary mechanisms for setting up the committee had been put in place “in recognition of the need to ensure a fair and decent living wage” for the workers.

He expressed hope that the outcome of the deliberations of the committee would be consensual and generally acceptable.

He urged the members to consider the issue of a national minimum wage as well as “all matters that are ancillary to it with thoroughness and concern not only for the welfare of our work-force but the effect on the country’s economy.”

He said government decisions based on the recommendations of the committee would be sent as an executive bill to the national assembly for consideration and subsequent passage into law.

“I am hopeful that the principles of full consultation with social partners and their direct participation would be utilised by the committee, bearing in mind the core provisions of the International Labour Organisation Minimum Wage Fixing Convention No. 131 and Minimum Wage Fixing Machinery Convention No.26 (ratified by Nigeria),” he said.

Buhari added that the committee is expected to complete its deliberations and submit its report “as soon as possible” to enable other necessary measures to be set in motion for implementation of a new national minimum wage.

The committee is to be chaired by Ama Pepple, a former head of service and minister of housing, while Chris Ngige, minister of labour and employment, will serve as deputy chairman.

Other members are Richard Egbule, chairman, National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission; Udoma Udoma, minister of budget and national planning; and Kemi Adeosun, minister of finance.

Also included are Winifred Oyo-Ita, head of the civil service of the federation; and Roy Ugo, permanent secretary, general services, office of the secretary to the government of the federation.

Select governors are also representing the Nigeria governors forum (NGF) on the committee.