President Bola Tinubu’s federal government and organized labour have been urged to consider restructuring the civil service and explore the possibility of implementing an hourly wage instead of discussing only the minimum wage.
In an interview with Legit.ng, Titilope Anifowoshe, a legal practitioner, noted that a new minimum wage would increase inflation if approved. He also claimed that only 11 states could pay the proposed minimum wage without federal support.
The legal luminary called on the federal government to reform the civil service via digitalization to enhance efficiency and accountability. Anifowoshe said:
“Reform the Nigerian civil service, where inefficiencies and lack of accountability have long hindered progress. Rather than perpetuating the debate over minimum wage increases, which may lead to inflation without improving living standards, I advocate for the digitalization of civil service operations.”
Anifowoshe urged the tripartite committee to accept hourly wages and increase productivity. She believes that a shift from fixed salaries to productivity-based compensation would enhance performance and reduce the financial burden on state budgets.
The lawyer also highlighted a BudgIT report which shows that only 11 states can pay the salaries of workers without the Federal Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) allocation, leaving the remaining 35 states helpless.
Okanlawon Gaffar, another lawyer, told Legit.ng recently that a uniform minimum wage was unhealthy for state governments. He said each state should be able to determine its minimum wage based on its capacity and internal revenue.