Nigeria’s VP, governors in closed-door talk over minimum wage

Vice President Kashim Shettima, Governors, and members of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic team are currently convening in Abuja.

The meeting, organised by the National Economic Council (NEC), is ongoing at the Presidential Villa’s Council Chambers.

The NEC meeting is expected to address the minimum wage issue and seek a consensus on the next steps.

The gathering follows the recent decision by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) to postpone discussions on the proposed new minimum wage for workers in Nigeria.

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Muhammad Idris, stated that President Tinubu opted to defer the memo to allow for broader consultations with stakeholders.

Idris clarified that the final decision on the national minimum wage will have far-reaching implications, affecting not only the federal government but also the states, local government areas, and the private sector.

“It affects the state governments, local governments, the organised private sector. That is why it is called the national minimum wage. It’s not just an affair of the federal government.

“So, Mr President has studied the report, and he is going to consult wider before a final submission is made to the national assembly,” the minister said.

State Governors under the aegis of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), met in Abuja on Wednesday where they also deliberated on the new national minimum wage, ahead of their meeting with President Bola Tinubu, on Thursday.

After the meeting, a statement was released saying that the governors agreed to keep communicating with important parties to find a solution that all could agree upon.

It was also gathered that the outcome of the meeting will be presented to the President at an enlarged meeting of the National Economic Council NEC, to be attended by the President for the first time.