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In a dramatic display of discord, the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) found themselves at odds during public hearings convened by the Tripartite Committee on National Minimum Wage (TCNMW) across four of the six geo-political zones of Nigeria.

 This division over the appropriate minimum wage was starkly evident in the South-West, where leaders of NLC advocated for N794,000, while their TUC counterparts proposed N497,000. The Director-General of the Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies (MINILS), Comrade Issa Aremu, suggested a broader range of N120,000 to N200,000.

Similar disagreements unfolded in other regions. In the South-East, NLC favored N540,000, contrasting with TUC's proposal of N447,000. South-South workers rallied behind an ambitious N850,000 minimum wage, while their North-West counterparts advocated for a more conservative N485,000.

Notably, North-West governors were conspicuously absent from the parley, raising concerns about the feasibility of implementing higher wages without substantial adjustments to the national economy's narratives, such as revenue sharing formulas.

In the South-West, the discord between NLC and TUC spilled over into the public arena as governors from the region expressed skepticism about sustaining improved wages in the current economic climate. Organized Labour has been rallying for a N500,000 minimum wage, emphasizing the need for an alignment with prevailing economic conditions and workers' expectations.

The public hearings in the South-West, chaired by the Minister of Finance, Mr. Wale Edun, witnessed impassioned pleas from labor leaders. Mrs. Funmi Sessi, the chairman of Lagos State NLC, recommended a minimum wage of at least N794,000, urging the Federal Government to retain the national minimum wage on the exclusive list. Sessi also advocated for a biennial review of the minimum wage, challenging the current five-year interval.

 

Mr. Gbenga Ekundayo, representing TUC, called for an annual review, aligning with Section 3(4) of the National Minimum Wage Act, while proposing N497,000 as the new minimum wage.

Comrade Issa Aremu from MINILS emphasized the erosion of workers' purchasing power and called for a realistic approach, suggesting a range of N120,000 to N200,000.

Various stakeholders, including Professor Adejumo Akintoye (Congress of Nigerian University Academics), Mr. Tayo Adelaja (Manufacturers Association of Nigeria), and Mr. Solomon Aderoju (Nigerian Association of Small and Medium Enterprises), shared their perspectives during the South-West hearing. They collectively painted a grim picture of the challenges faced by firms and workers in the country.

Addressing the concerns of South-West governors, Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State acknowledged the need for an improved welfare package for workers. However, he underscored the difficulty faced by sub-national governments in sustaining higher wages without a comprehensive adjustment to the national economy's narratives.

In Lagos, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by the Head of Service, Bode Agoro, affirmed the state's commitment to collaborative efforts with other states and the Federal Government to establish a fair and realistic wage structure, considering diverse economic conditions.

Finance Minister Mr. Wale Edun emphasized the committee's interest in well-researched position papers, highlighting the significance of achieving a fair and sustainable minimum wage that promotes social justice and economic stability.

In the South-East, the Enugu State TUC Chairman, Comrade Ben Asogwa, and the NLC Chairman, Fabian Nwigbo, presented conflicting proposals of N447,000 and N540,000, respectively. Both labor unions called for a biennial review of the minimum wage, challenging the current five-year interval.

South-South workers, presenting their case in Uyo, proposed a bold N850,000 minimum wage. Comrade Sunny James, Chairman of NLC Akwa Ibom State Council, highlighted the deteriorating standard of living for workers, advocating for a comprehensive review based on socio-economic indicators.

 

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) supported the NLC's demand for N850,000 as the new minimum wage, emphasizing the importance of a consequential adjustment for its members.

Governors Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom and Douye Diri of Bayelsa expressed their commitment to implementing the outcome of the hearings, acknowledging the significance of addressing workforce welfare.

In the North-West, the NLC proposed N485,000 as the new minimum wage, with Chairman Kabir Inuwa emphasizing the need for the wage to reflect economic realities. However, North-West governors were largely absent from the proceedings, except for Katsina State Governor Dikko Radda, who sent a representative, and the host governor, represented by his deputy, Abdulssalam Gwarzo.

As Nigeria grapples with divergent perspectives on the minimum wage, the outcome of these public hearings will significantly influence the nation's economic landscape and the well-being of its workforce. The debates underscore the delicate balance required to achieve a minimum wage that is both just and sustainable. The tripartite committee faces the formidable task of synthesizing these disparate proposals into a cohesive policy that navigates the complexities of Nigeria's economic reality.