On Thursday, President Bola Tinubu is set to discuss the new national minimum wage with state governors at the 142nd National Economic Council (NEC) meeting at the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja. This marks a significant event as it is uncommon for the President to attend these meetings.
Femi Gbajabiamila, the President’s Chief of Staff, shared this information during a visit to Kano. He was there to offer condolences to Vice President Kashim Shettima, whose mother-in-law recently passed away. Gbajabiamila emphasized the President’s commitment to this issue, explaining that Tinubu’s presence at the NEC meeting underscores its importance.
“He is indeed saddened and he wished he was here with you. You know our President is very ubiquitous, he can be in a million places at the same time, but unfortunately, this bill, as you well know, calls for him to be at the seat of power. Indeed, he will be joining you tomorrow and that’s how important his presence in Abuja is right now. He will be joining you tomorrow at the NEC meeting, which he ever hardly attends, this might even be his first meeting,” Gbajabiamila said.
This NEC meeting follows the Federal Executive Council’s decision to delay the report from the Tripartite Committee on the New National Minimum Wage. The Council cited the need for President Tinubu to consult further with other stakeholders, including state governors, local government officials, and the private sector.
Clearing the air, Minister of Finance Zainab Idris noted, “That memo was stepped down to enable Mr. President to consult further, especially with the state governors and the organized private sector, before he makes a presentation to the National Assembly before an executive bill is presented to the National Assembly.”
She added, “Mr. President has studied the report and he’s going to consult wider before a final submission is being made to the National Assembly.”
The Federal Government has been in talks with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) leaders, who are pushing for a new minimum wage of N250,000. In contrast, the Federal Government, state representatives, and the Organized Private Sector (OPS) proposed N62,000. State governors have stated that they cannot sustain a minimum wage higher than N60,000.
The NEC, established under the 1999 Constitution, includes the 36 state governors, the Central Bank Governor, and other key government officials. Chaired by the Vice President, the NEC advises the President on economic matters, aiming to coordinate economic planning across all levels of government.