Despite the federal government’s assurances that the new minimum wage will take effect from May 1, 2024, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), yesterday, said it is reviewing its individual fiscal space as state governments and the consequential impact of various recommendations, to arrive at an improved minimum wage they can pay sustainably.
Organised Labour is asking for N615,000 as minimum wage up from N30,000 for workers.
The observations of the governors were contained in a communique issued after the end of the meeting of the NGF held on Wednesday, May 1, 2024, which was made available to newsmen in Abuja.
NGF reiterated that the 37-member tripartite committee inaugurated on the National Minimum Wage is still in consultation and yet to conclude its work.
The communique which was signed by the Chairman of NGF, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, Kwara State governor, acknowledged various initiatives adopted of recent by way of wage awards and partial wage adjustments.
“We, members of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), at our meeting held today, deliberated on various issues of national importance.
“The Forum celebrates with workers across the country for their dedication to service and patience, as we work with the Federal Government, labour, organised private sector and relevant stakeholders in arriving at an implementable national minimum wage.
“While we acknowledge various initiatives adopted of recent 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.
“Members received the outgoing Country Director, Mr. Shubham Chaudhuri, and the incoming Country Director, Mr. Ndiame Diop of the World Bank, to discuss the bank’s vision for transitioning. Mr. Chaudhuri appreciated the Forum for the strategic role it continues to play in coordinating collective action for developmental change.
“He applauded the non-partisan character of the Forum, the professionalism of its secretariat, and state governments’ commitment to mutual accountability mechanisms such as performance-based financing interventions by the bank.
“Members expressed confidence in the choice of Mr. Diop to lead the collaboration going forward and look forward to a sustained and deepened relationship.
“The Forum discussed the revised National Policy on Justice (2024 -2028) from the just concluded National Summit on Justice on 24th & 25th April 2024.
“Members agreed to consider the submissions from the summit as may concern their individual states, including recommended legal amendments, administrative improvements, and policies to strengthen the justice sector.
“Also, the Forum committed to looking into issues bordering on remuneration of state judicial officers and the infrastructure of the courts.
“The Forum received a presentation from the National Human Capital Development (HCD) Programme – Core Working Group Secretariat, led by Ms. Rukaiya El-Rufai and Dr. Ahmad Abdulwahab. Both highlighted the marginal progress made by states and its contribution to Nigeria’s Human Development Index (HDI), especially across health, nutrition, education, and labour force participation.
“Having reviewed the previous programme design and national strategy, a revised governance and implementation roadmap was proposed to scale up impact and ensure sustainability. Members pledged to support the effective domestication of proposed revisions to the national HCD strategy.
“Members received a briefing from Mrs. Oyinda Adedokun, Programme Manager, State Action on Business Enabling Reforms (SABER), Federal Ministry of Finance Programme Coordination Unit.
“The briefing highlighted states’ performance in implementing advocated reforms relating to land administration; regulatory framework for private investment in fiber optic infrastructure; services provided by investment promotion agencies and public-private partnership units; efficiency and transparency of government-to-business services, under the World Bank financed programme.
“The Forum commiserated with the governors of Rivers State, H.E Siminalayi Fubara and Ogun State, H.E Prince Dapo Abiodun, over the petrol tanker explosion and gas explosion that occurred on 26th and 27th April 2024, respectively.
“Members called for proper maintenance of trucks especially those fitted to convey Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and recommended appropriate training for truck drivers. On enforcement of regulations, members resolved to engage relevant Ministries, Departments & Agencies (MDAs) in order to align the activities of federal regulators with the operations of officials at the sub-national level”, reads the communique.
