President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kassim Shettima convened with governors from all 36 states and key ministers on Thursday to discuss a new minimum wage for Nigerian workers and other pressing economic issues.
The discussions took place during the 141st meeting of the National Economic Council (NEC), held in the Council Chamber of the State House, Abuja.
Vice President Shettima chaired the meeting with state governors, deputy governors, and ministers before President Tinubu’s arrival.
This high-level meeting occurred just two days after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) deferred a minimum wage review memo to allow for further consultations.
On the preceding Wednesday, governors under the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) met in Abuja, assuring Nigerians that ongoing negotiations involving the government, private sector, and organized labour would lead to improved wages.
In his Democracy Day address on June 12, 2024, President Tinubu pledged that an executive bill on the new national minimum wage would be presented to the National Assembly for approval soon.
The President is expected to decide on the proposed ₦62,000 minimum wage by the government and private sector, compared to Labour’s ₦250,000 demand.