The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has postponed a decision on updating the national minimum wage, opting instead to seek more extensive input from stakeholders before presenting a final proposal to the National Assembly.
According to the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, the Tripartite Committee tasked with reviewing the minimum wage had submitted its findings and a corresponding memo to the FEC.
However, the Council determined that the matter requires involvement from a broader set of parties, including local governments, state governments, the federal government, the organized private sector, and labor unions.
“All 39 agenda items were discussed and addressed by the FEC,” Idris told State House Correspondents. “But the Council was unable to make a decision on the minimum wage at this time, as it needs more comprehensive input before finalizing a proposal.”
The delay allows President Bola Tinubu to consult further with the relevant stakeholders before putting forth a minimum wage bill to the National Assembly for consideration. The current national minimum wage of 30,000 naira per month was last adjusted in 2019.
Idris emphasized that the FEC remains committed to finding a balanced solution that addresses the needs of workers while also considering the economic realities facing businesses and government budgets. The postponed memo will be revisited after the additional input has been gathered and assessed.