The federal government has officially declared the rollout of the revised Minimum Wage of ₦70,000 for federal public servants, with payments backdated to July 29, 2024. Ekpo Nta, the National Salaries, Incomes, and Wages Commission (NSIWC) chairman, verified this information at a press conference in Abuja. The recent passage of the National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Act 2024 has generated varied responses among labour groups. Ekpo Nta has stated that the minimum wage will be enforced starting back on July 29, 2024.
This coincides with President Bola Tinubu’s approval of the updated wage bill after it received the green light from the National Assembly. Although there were hopes for a launch in May 2024, the government explained that this timeline was unattainable because of when the president approved it. The chairman clarified that the government plans to settle arrears on July 29 rather than in May as initially stated. This update follows mixed messages from the Minister of State for Labour, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, who had confidently told workers that the salary increase would be implemented starting May 1, 2024.
Multiple workers’ leaders express dissatisfaction with the clarification.
Moreover, this inconsistency has drawn criticism from labour unions, with notable leaders voicing their discontent. Benson Upah, Head of Information at the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), expressed his worries regarding the government’s decision. He argued that making the payment backdated to July was unfair to the employees and stressed that the government should have upheld its promise for an earlier date. Similarly, Timmy Etim, the National Vice President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), voiced his disapproval, contending that Onyejeocha’s May 2024 timeline had elevated workers’ hopes and that failing to meet it constituted a violation of trust.
However, the NSIWC defended the decision and emphasised the need for a unified approach to prevent inconsistencies in salary structures. Ekpo Nta encouraged every federal public service organisation, whether treasury or self-funded, to contact the commission if they had yet to obtain the official salary adjustment announcement. This step was necessary to maintain existing salary relationships within the federal public service and avoid disorganised implementations. The commission has also issued salary templates to facilitate the new adjustment for different consolidated salary structures.
NSIWC has issued salary templates to facilitate the new salary adjustment.
Among these are the Consolidated Public Service Salary Structure, Consolidated Research and Allied Institutions Salary Structure, and Consolidated Universities Academic Salary Structure. Other salary structures include those for polytechnics, colleges of education, medical professionals, para-military forces, police officers, and armed forces. Moreover, the NSIWC is developing forms for retirees, NYSC participants, and interns, all of whom are eligible for the updated required allowance. Following the announcement, the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (NACCIMA) praised the government’s move to introduce the new income.
On his part, Dele Oye, the president of NACCIMA, expressed worries regarding the potential imprisonment time for employers who do not adhere to the new salary regulations. He criticised this punitive approach as ineffective and urged increased dialogue with all parties involved, including labour unions, to resolve their issues. Oye also encouraged state and local authorities that have not adopted the updated minimum pay to follow the federal government’s lead. He recognised the financial difficulties confronting businesses and employees and emphasised the importance of ongoing communication between the government and labour organisations.
Related Article: FG approves ₦70,000 as new minimum wage
Meanwhile, the Task Force on Salary Modifications for Government Employees, led by Didi Walson-Jack, the Civil Service Head of the Federation, has initiated negotiations on the updated minimum pay framework. This task force manages salary revisions and facilitates the effective implementation of the new pay system. The committee additionally suggested that the salary increments, which the administration had stopped, should be issued until July 28, 2024. Regardless of these initiatives, the labour unions continue to believe that the government should have respected its promise to initiate payments starting May 2024. As it stands, the new minimum wage is set to be implemented on July 29, and employees are counting on the government to ensure prompt and precise execution throughout all industries.