COVER
Minimum Wage: Discordant Tunes across Geopolitical Zones
From By Kunle Idowu, Abeokuta, Yagana Ali, Yola
Labour leaders and governors on Thursday took varying positions on the minimum wage question.
Workers made diverse demands on what should be the minimum wage at the Public hearing of tripartite committee of national minimum wage that took place in the different regions of the country.
President Bola Tinubu, through Vice-President Kashim Shettima had on Jan.
30 inaugurated a 37-member panel on the new minimum wage in AbujaThe committee scheduled March 7 for public hearing in all the six geo-political zones in the country.
South-south zone
South South Zonal chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has proposed N850,000 as new minimum wage for workers.
It equally advocated for impeachment or imprisonment of any governor, who may refuse to abide by the new minimum wage benchmark.
The Chairman of NLC in Akwa Ibom, Comrade Sunny James stated this while speaking at the Zonal Public Hearings organised by the Tripartite Committee on National Minimum Wage (TCNMW) on Thursday in Uyo.
The labour union leader said operational licenses of the private sector that may default in paying the new minimum wage should be withdrawn.
“It is the collective request from the zone that the inflation-dependent model of wage adjustment be adopted.
“This will automatically raise the minimum wage for the workers, whenever inflation rises and hence eradicate the struggle for a new wage every five years as obtained in the developed world.
“Minimum wages should be paid to all workers in the employment of not less than five employees.
“This act will bring inclusiveness to all Nigerians as exhibited in the composition of the Minimum Wage Negotiating Committee.
“The Zone proposes a penalty for those contravening the minimum wage to include: the impeachment and imprisonment of erring Governors, withdrawal of operational license to the defaulting private sector employers,” James said.
The Secretary of Akwa Ibom State Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Kingsley Bassey, who spoke on behalf of the zone pegged the new minimum wage at N450,000.
Bassey urged government to implement the wage to ameliorate the plight and sufferings of the Nigerian workers.
On his part, the TCNMW Chairman, Mr Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, said that the committee was keenly interested in receiving well-researched position papers that will aid in making informed decisions.
Oyerinde was represented by the Chairman of the National Association of Small, Medium Enterprise (NASME), Mr Nnoron Theophilus.
He assured that the diverse opinions gathered from both private and public sectors would help to impact the livelihood of the citizens.
In his remarks, Gov. Umo Eno promised to cooperate in the payment of the new minimum wage, when it is approved.
Eno, who was represented by the Head of Service, Mr Effiong Essien, said that within one year in office, his administration had paid workers entitlements to the tune of N14.7 billion.
North-east zone
In Adamawa State NLC requested for more than N400,000 as the minimum wage because of inflation and devaluation of naira against the dollar.
The union also called for a uniform minimum wage in both public and private sectors as all the workers are doing same job.
In the north-east, the Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Muhammad said the sufferings of Nigerians are unimaginable.
The governor make this known in an interview during the public hearing of tripartite committee of national minimum wage of the North Eastern zone held in Yola.
He tasked the public hearing should look at all the issues and differences to come out with what states will be able pay workers salary.
In his remark the Governor of Adamawa State, Umaru Fintiri represented by the Deputy Governor Prof Kaletapwa Farauta said they all agreed as government that things are not going well in the country.
“We can come to agreement as people and government to say look this is what we can do,” the governor said.
According to the governor, there is no figure that can be paid to a civil servant that will be convenient.
The Governors of Borno , Yobe , Gombe and Taraba States through representatives make their contributions at public hearing.
South-west
Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke called for the review of the Federation Account Revenue sharing formula as well as the removal of solid minerals from exclusive list.
The governor made the advocacy in Lagos at the South West National Tripartite Minimum Wage Committee.
Addressing labour leaders and other delegates at the public hearing, the Osun State Governor said there is a consensus on the minimum wage but noted that a review of the revenue sharing formula and amendment of the law is necessary to boost the capacity of the states to pay the new minimum wage.
“In all our meetings and various deliberations, one thing that the committee has been able to establish is that the workers in Nigeria are due for an improved welfare package.
“There is a consensus for an upward review of the National Minimum Wage because the existing one has become unrealistic.
“It has to be reiterated that the majority of the governments at the sub−nationals can hardly sustain an improved wages and salaries for their workers without a significant adjustment in some of the narratives in the national economy.
“In tandem with the public outcry for the review of the sharing formula for the federation account, the time has come for the federal government to revisit the matter.
“There is an urgent need for the review of existing sharing formulas in favor of states and local governments.
“I call on the National Assembly through the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) to urgently take decisive action to look at the ratio objectively and realistically.
“Additionally, the nation must remove solid minerals from the exclusive legislative list.
“Every state in Nigeria has been blessed with one form of natural resources or the other. There is a strong appeal to move solid minerals from exclusive to concurrent list,” the governor submitted.
He said, “While it would be desirable to see that a uniform minimum wage is agreed on a national basis, it would amount to self-deceit to assume that states have equal ability to pay.”
He posited that individual states would have to negotiate with their workers and agree to a realistic and sustainable minimum wage in line with the available resources.
The Minister of Finance and the Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun was the Chairman of the zonal public hearing.
South-east
The South-east chapters of NLC and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have proposed N540,000 and N447,000 respectively as new minimum wage for Nigerian workers.
The organised labour made the proposal during the South-east Zonal Hearing organised by the Tripartite Committee on National Minimum Wage on Thursday in Enugu.
The Chairman, NLC Enugu State Chapter, Comrade Fabian Nwigbo noted that the value of N30,000 minimum wage of 2019 had been eroded by inflation.
According to him, if you consider what is going on in the country today, one won’t be talking about minimum wage anymore.
Nwagbo described the situation as very “unfortunate” saying that if one compared the minimum wages being paid in West African countries, Nigeria workers were the least paid.
“For us, we want to propose based on the prices of commodities in Nigeria. In 2019 when we had N30, 000 minimum wage, a paint bucket of gari was N280, rice and beans were about N450 each while fuel was N145.
“This has continued to subsist till today where a litre of fuel is now N750 to N800 depending on the location.
“In the current state, a paint bucket of rice is over N4000 and gari N2,500.
“While two bedroom flat in Enugu that used to be N250, 000-N300,000 is over N650,000 at the suburb and in the city it stands at N1.2 million yearly.
“Everything is moving up except salary paid to civil servants.
“We are praying the leadership of this country to consider the pains and sufferings of the Nigeria workers and citizens and give us something that is close to what we can use to survive,” he appealed.
Giving a breakdown of the proposal, the chairman added that a family of six with daily feeding of N2000 each, would have N12,000 and in 30 days it would be N360,000.
“We have also put hospital bills at N20,000, education N40,000, utility, N10,000, clothing N30,000, social engagement and other things at N10,000 per month.
“If you put them together, you have N540,000 which will do a little good to the workers of Nigeria and so we are proposing N540,000 as new minimum wage for civil servants, he said.
He called for review of minimum wage law every two years, saying that the issue of five years was no longer fashionable as well as leaving as leaving minimum wage in exclusive list.
The labour leader, however, called for impeachment of any governor that failed to implement new minimum as well as the extension of the wage to the pensioners whom he said put in their active lives in service.
“Once it is approved, every governor and Council Chairman should start paying it across board. The issue of workers going to negotiate with their state governors should not arise,” he said.
In his submission, Comrade Ben Asogwa, Chairman, TUC Enugu Chapter, said that the zone aligned with the N447,000 proposed by the TUC national leadership.
“It is small to what Nigeria workers expect but we are concerned on its implementation if more is requested, given the economic factors and indices. Any governor that refuses to pay should leave office,” he said.
Earlier, Mr Tommy Etim, Chairman of the event and Deputy National President one, TUC, said it was a mark of honour for them to have engaged in a sensitive assignment on National minimum wage.
Etim however, expressed displeasure on the absence of representatives of the Civil Societies, Nigeria Union of Pensioners and others.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that none of the governors or their representatives from the zone attended the hearing including Gov. Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra who is the Chairman of the event and Member of the Tripartite Committee.
North-central zone
NLC FCT Proposes N709,000 Minimum Wage for Workers
NLC, FCT chapter has proposed N709,000 as new minimum wage for Nigerian workers.
The NLC FCT Chairman, Dr Stephen Knabayi made the submission at the North Central Zonal Public Hearing organised by the Tripartite Committee on the National Minimum Wage on Thursday in Abuja.
In the North-central zone, no fewer than 15 organisations met and presented their submissions to the council.
Knabayi, while making the submission, said the Congress took cognisance of the present economic conditions in the country in arriving at the figure.
According to him, the sum proposed will help cushion the effects of the economic challenges and ameliorate the sufferings of Nigerians.
“We have a common position. This position considers the current economic plight in the country.
“We have the submission that N709,000 per month should be the minimum wage for the workers in the country.
“We believe that Nigeria has what it takes, the leadership should commit themselves to getting this money paid and for us to have better treatment for the working people of Nigeria,” he said.
TUC, FCT chapter, making its submission, proposed N447,000 as the new minimum wage.
Mr Amaege Chukwudi who represented the TUC said, “This will give Nigerian workers a minimum level of comfort and enable them to cope with the current level of economic hardship, which has turned the majority of them to beggars.
“So for us in the FCT, we expect the minimum wage to run across the three tiers of government “he said.
Chukwudi appealed for policy reform that would engender massive food supply in the country.
He urged the Federal Government to provide buses to ease movement of workers, fix refineries, and ensure stable electricity supply, among other recommendations.
Prof. Mohammad Mohammed, of the Medical and Dental Consultant Association of Nigeria said the minimum wage for workers should be N440,333.33.
The professor appealed that a consequential adjustment should be included in the approved minimum wage for workers.
Representatives of the Forum of Retired Directors of Federal Civil Service proposed N70,000 minimum wage for workers at the hearing.
They also appealed for a review of pension allowance as stipulated in Nigerian law.
The Federal Civil Service of Pensioners of Nigeria demanded that 85 percent of the minimum wage that would be approved should be assigned to them.
The National Chairman of the Association, Sunday Omezi, said at the hearing that the money would enable them to take care of themselves and their health challenges.
The chairman, however, expressed displeasure that pensioners were not included in the tripartite committee.
Speaking, Chairman of the Zonal Committee, Mr Festus Osifo said the committee would make recommendations for effective and full implementation of the new minimum wage once approved and signed into law.
“We will try to put in place very strong sanction and punitive measures to ensure that once passed into law, it is implemented across the states,” he said.
The hearing was well attended by government representatives and stakeholders, both from the public and private sector.
By Mike Odiakose, Abuja
Immediate past governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello will spend the 2024 Christmas and 2025 New Year days in Kuje prison, Abuja, following refusal of his bail application by the Federal Capital Territory High Court.
Justice Maryann Anenih yesterday adjourned the case until Jan.
29, Feb. 25, and Feb. 27, 2025 for the continuation of the hearing.The former governor is standing trial, along with two others, in an N110 billion money laundering charge brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Justice Anenih had refused to grant a bail application filed by Bello, saying it was filed prematurely.
The judge admitted Umar Oricha and Abdulsalam Hudu, to bail in the sum of N 300 million each with two sureties.
Justice Anenih, while delivering a ruling said, having been filed when Bello was neither in custody nor before the court, the instant application was incompetent.
“Consequently, the instant application having been filed prematurely is hereby refused,” she said.
Recalling the arguments before the court on the bail application, the judge had said, “before the court is a motion on notice, dated and filed on Nov. 22.
“The 1st Defendant seeks an order of this honourable court admitting him to bail pending the hearing and determination of the charge.
“That he became aware of the instant charge through the public summons. That he is a two-term governor of Kogi State. That if released on bail, he would not interfere with the witnesses and not jump bail.”
She said the Defendant’s Counsel, JB Daudu, SAN, had told the court that he had submitted sufficient facts to grant the bail.
He urged the court to exercise its discretion judicially and judiciously to grant the bail.
Opposing the bail application, the Prosecution Counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, argued that the instant application was grossly incompetent, having been filed before arraignment.
He said it ought to be filed after arraignment but the 1st Defendant’s Counsel disagreed, saying there was no authority
“That says that an application can only be filed when it is ripe for hearing.”
Justice Anenih held that the instant application for bail showed that it was filed several days after the 1st defendant was taken into custody.”
Citing the ACJA, the judge said the provision provided that an application for bail could be made when a defendant had been arrested, detained, arraigned or brought before the court.
Bello had filed an application for his bail on November 22 but was taken into custody on November 26 and arraigned on Nov. 27.
From Jude Dangwam, Jos
Conference of Autochthonous Ethnic Nationalities Community Development Association (CONAECDA) has called on the federal government to intensify efforts in the resettlement of displaced persons in their ancestral homes.
The organization made this call at the end of its conference held in Jos, the Plateau State Capital weekend.
Thirty resolutions were passed covering security, economy, politics, governance, culture, languages, human rights and indigenous peoples’ rights among others.
The Conference President, Samuel Achie and Secretary Suleman Sukukum in a communique noted that the conference received and discussed reports from communities based on which resolutions were reached on securing, reconstruction, rehabilitation and returning communities displaced by violence across the Middle Belt.
“After considering the reports from communities displaced by violent conflicts, conference resolved, and called on government to focus on providing security to deter further displacements.
“Call on government to provide security to enable communities to return. Government and donor partners should assist in reconstructing and returning displaced communities,” the communique stated.
The GOC 3 Armoured Division Nigeria Army represented by Lt Col Abdullahi Mohammed said the Nigerian Army is committed to working closely with communities to achieve a crime-free society, urging communities to support them with credible information.
“Security is a collective effort, and we cannot do it alone, the community plays a crucial role in ensuring safety.
“We urge everyone here not to shield or protect individuals involved in criminal activities. Transparency and collaboration, together, with maximum cooperation, we can achieve peace, security, and prosperity for our society,” the GOC stated.
The National Coordinator of CONECDA, Dr. Zuwaghu Bonat in his address at the gathering noted that the theme of this year’s program, Returning, Resettling, and Rehabilitating Displaced Communities, was chosen as a wakeup call on the federal government.
He maintained that the organization is aware that President Bola Tinubu has expressed a commitment to ensuring that displaced communities return to their ancestral lands.
He said similarly, some state governments, including Plateau State, have set up committees to address the lingering matter.
The coordinator however cautioned, “It is critical that we avoid generalizations or profiling. For instance, Not all Muslims are involved in terrorism. The overwhelming majority of Muslims in Nigeria are peaceful and reject extremist ideologies.
“We also know that some terrorists exploit religion to mobilize support or rationalize their actions. However, their atrocities – slaughtering women, cutting open pregnant mothers, and killing children show a profound disregard for humanity and God. Normal human beings would not commit such acts.
“We must also be cautious about lumping banditry with terrorism. While statistics indicate that many bandits and kidnappers may share similar ethnic backgrounds, kidnapping has now evolved into a profit-driven enterprise. This distinction is vital to address the root causes effectively,” he stated.
The Governor of Plateau State, Caleb Mutfwang represented by his Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Middle Belt Nationalities, Hon Daniel Kwada noted that the conference was apt to addressed the various underlying issues bedeviling the region and its people.
“We in the Middle Belt have long been standing at the crossroads of Nigeria’s complex history. Despite our tireless efforts to stabilize this nation, we have faced immense challenges, including underdevelopment, security issues, and marginalization.
“Often, we are unfairly maligned, but gatherings like this offer a chance to change the narrative.
“Such conferences set the tone for better discussions. They allow us to drive processes that bring development, ensure security, and elevate our people to greater heights,” Mutfwang noted.
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has called on banks to reinforce their corporate governance principles and risk management frameworks to boost investor confidence during the ongoing recapitalisation exercise.
Dr Emomotimi Agama, Director-General, SEC, said this at the yearly workshop of the Capital Market Correspondents Association of Nigeria (CAMCAN) held in Lagos.
The theme of the workshop is: “Recapitalisation: Bridging the Gap between Investors and Issuers in the Nigerian Capital Market”.
Agama, represented by the Divisional Head of Legal and Enforcement at the SEC, Mr John Achile, stated that the 2024–2026 banking sector recapitalisation framework offers clear guidance for issuers while prioritising the protection of investors’ interests
He restated the commission’s commitment towards ensuring transparency and efficiency in the recapitalisation process.
The director-general stated that the key to bridging the gap between issuers and investors remained the harnessing of innovation for inclusive growth.
In view of this, Agama said, “SEC, through the aid of digital platform, is exploring the integration of blockchain technology for secure and transparent transaction processing to redefine trust in the market.”
He added that the oversubscription of most recapitalisation offers in 2024 reflects strong investor confidence.
To sustain this momentum, the director-general said that SEC had intensified efforts to enhance disclosure standards and corporate governance practices.
According to him, expanding financial literacy campaigns and collaborating with fintech companies to provide low-entry investment options will democratise access to the capital market.
He assured stakeholders of the commission’s steadfastness in achieving its mission of creating an enabling environment for seamless and transparent capital formation.
“Our efforts are anchored on providing issuers with clear guidelines and maintaining open lines of communication with all market stakeholders, reducing bureaucratic bottlenecks through digitalisation.
“We also ensure timely review and approval of applications, and enhancing regulatory oversight to protect investors while promoting market integrity,” he added.
Agama listed constraints to the exercise to include: addressing market volatility, systemic risks, limited retail participation as well as combating skepticism among investors who demand greater transparency and accountability.
He said: “We are equally presented with opportunities which include leveraging technology to deepen financial inclusion and enhance market liquidity.
“It also involves developing innovative financial products, such as green bonds and sukuk, to attract diverse investor segments.
“The success of recapitalisation efforts depends on collaboration among regulators, issuers, and investors.”
Speaking on market infrastructure at the panel session, Achile said SEC provides oversight to every operations in the market, ranging from technology innovations to market.
He stated that the commission is committed to transparency and being mindful of the benefits and risks associated with technology adoption.
Achile noted that SEC does due diligence to all the innovative ideas that comes into the market to ensure adequate compliance with the requirements.
On the rising unclaimed dividend figure, Achile blamed the inability of investors to comply with regulatory requirements and information gap.
He noted that SEC had done everything within its powers to ensure that investors receive their dividend at the appropriate time.
He, however, assured that the commission would continue to strengthen its dual role of market regulation and investor protection to boost confidence in the market.
In her welcome address, the Chairman of CAMCAN, Mrs Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma, said banks’ recapitalisation is not just a regulatory requirement, but an opportunity to rebuild trust, strengthen the capital market, and drive sustainable growth.
Joel-Nwokeoma stated that the recent recapitalisation in the banking sector had brought to the fore the need for a more robust and inclusive capital market.
She added that as banks seek to strengthen their balance sheets and improve their capital adequacy ratios, it is imperative to create an environment that fosters trust, transparency, and cooperation between investors and issuers.
The chairman called for collaboration to bridge the gap between investors and issuers to create a more inclusive and vibrant Nigerian capital market.She said: “we must work together to strengthen corporate governance and risk management practices in banks, enhance disclosure and transparency requirements for issuers.” NAN
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