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Manufacturers accept FG N60,000 minimum wage — MAN DG
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Director-General of the Manufacturing Association of Nigeria, Ajayi Kadri, has confirmed that the organised private sector accepted the Federal Government’s proposal for a new minimum wage of N60,000.
Ajayi disclosed this during an interview with Channels TV in Abuja on Saturday.
He clarified that ongoing negotiations between the government, the private sector and labour were focused on establishing a minimum wage rather than a living wage which represents the lowest amount that can be paid to any worker in the country.
He also stressed that both labour and private businesses have been facing significant economic challenges, making it extremely difficult for them to meet the wage demands put forward by labour unions.
He stated, “To start with, this is a very difficult time for anyone to negotiate minimum wage. From the perspective of government, labour and organized private sector, we operate in an environment where there is general acceptance of the fact that the macroeconomics are not right, even the global economy is experiencing a lot of shakeups and the aftermath of government necessary reforms.
“From the beginning of the negotiations of the minimum wage, it’s evident to the tripartite— that is the government, labour, and organized private sector— that we are going to operate in a difficult terrain.
“Incidentally, the organized private sector and government have offered N60,000 as the minimum wage and I think it is very important for us to understand that what we are talking about is the minimum wage. That is what some people have called the walk-in wage. That is the amount we will pay the least workers in the country. It is the minimum wage we are negotiating, not a living wage,” Ajayi said.
Ajayi disclosed further that both the government and the private sector face significant constraints in fulfilling the proposed N419,000 living wage request.
He mentioned that the private sector, for example, is dealing with economic challenges and inflation, making it impossible to pay such an amount.
He also explained that this is not the most appropriate time for organized labor to negotiate a new minimum wage. Instead, they should collaborate with other stakeholders to strengthen the economy.
“All of us in the tripartite— the government, the labour, and the private sector — we all knew that we were operating in a very difficult environment. The government itself realized that it had limited capacity to pay. The private sector is constrained by microeconomic, infrastructure and security challenges. So, we are also constrained to pay.
“Labour on its part, is under intense pressure from its constituencies to ask for a higher wage because inflation has hit the roof and the operating environment is tough.
“Throughout the negotiation process, we made it known that this is not the best time to negotiate minimum wage. This is the time for us to agree, the crew behind the government, and grow the economy in such that we will bake a bigger cake and then we’ll be able to share,” the director general added.
He, however, appealed to the organised labour to reconsider its decision to embark on a nationwide strike.
He noted that the labour walking out of discussions and declaring strike would not help matters.
He added that it is unfortunate that labour rejected the N60,000 offer from the government and the organised private sector, choosing to declare a nationwide strike.
“We cannot afford to cripple the economy when all we needed to do was continue to build it. I think President Tinubu was very clear when he emerged as president that these are not going to be easy times and I think we needed to tighten our belts to deliver on economy that we know has been seriously battered,” Ajayi-Kadir said on Channels Television’s Sunrise programme on Saturday.
“Of course, the government on its own side has to demonstrate leadership, sensitivity and sense and sense of mind as well as the sense of occasion of the period that we are in. So, government expenditure, government choices of what needs to be done, how much to be spent, the cost of governance itself, all of it has to come to the table.
“I think what labour is actually worried about is that they appear to be the ones on the brunt of it but we needed to be able to engage, walking out on the process and declaring strike, I do not think that that is what is going to solve this issue,” he added.
On Friday, organised labour declared a nationwide indefinite strike over the Federal Government’s refusal to raise the proposed minimum wage from N60,000.
They claimed that the strike followed the expiration of an earlier request to the Federal Government to conclude all negotiations for a new minimum wage before the end of May.
Five persons sustained varying degrees of injuries when an explosion occurred inside a CCTV camera dealer’s shop along Kodesho Street, Computer Village, Ikeja area of the state on Friday evening.
Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin disclosed this in a statement.
Hundeyin said the explosion occurred around 6:35 pm.
The scene of the explosion and adjoining areas were immediately taken over and cordoned off by operatives of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Unit of the command, the Mobile Police Detachment and Conventional Police Teams, the PPRO stated.
He added that the scene was swept by the EOD experts of the command to ensure the safety of residents and facilitate a comprehensive investigation to determine the actual cause of the explosion.
According to him, five persons inside and around the shop that sustained various degrees of injury have been rescued and swiftly recovered to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) for medical attention.
“The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Olohundare Jimoh, arrived at the scene within minutes for an on-the-spot assessment.
“He has assured the public that the command is fully on top of the situation and has urged residents of Lagos to remain calm and not to panic,” the police spokesman stated.
“While investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the explosion and other factors that might have caused the incident, the general public are enjoined to go about their lawful engagements and businesses peacefully without fear or apprehension, as the scene of the explosion and the adjoining area have been rendered safe and secured,” he added.
The command assured the general public of its commitment to continue to maintain peace and security throughout the state.
Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has downplayed speculations surrounding Friday’s high-profile visit to former President Muhammadu Buhari, clarifying that the meeting had no political undertones.
The visit, which took place in Kaduna, was led by former Vice President and 2023 PDP presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar. The delegation included notable political figures such as former Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal, former Minister of Communications Isa Pantami, and ex-governors Achike Udenwa (Imo), Gabriel Suswam (Benue), and Jibrilla Bindow (Adamawa).
The gathering sparked public debate, particularly given El-Rufai’s recent defection from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
However, in a post shared on X (formerly Twitter), El-Rufai dismissed any political motives behind the visit.
“We joined over faithful for Jumaat prayers at the Yahaya Road Mosque and had a sumptuous lunch at the Buhari Residence,” he wrote. “By the way, our adversaries should not lose any sleep. It is not about politics. It is about unity and brotherhood. And since we are all politically irrelevant, we just prayed and enjoyed lunch with our mentor.”
El-Rufai earlier disclosed that he informed Buhari ahead of his exit from the APC to the Social Democratic Party and that the former president offered prayers and support for his decision.
Buhari reacted, reaffirming his loyalty to the APC despite recent political shifts among his allies.
The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) has announced a power outage in parts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and areas on the outskirts.
Areas such as Kaduna road, APC quarters are in Niger State axis close to the FCT.
This was stated in a release by the distribution company on Friday.
“Dear valued customers in Maitama Panama Street, Kaduna Road, APC Quarters, Kantoma Empire Energy, Vertex, Royal Institute, and its surrounding areas.”
“We Regret to inform you that the power outage is due to a technical fault on the feeder serving these areas.”
“Our dedicated technical team is working tirelessly to restore power as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding and patience as we work to serve you better,” the statement read.
On March 31st, the AEDC made a similar announcement on blackout in the FCT.
“Dear valued customers in Utako, Wuye, Jabi, Airport, NJI, NARSDA, NABDA, Lugbe Shoprite, Riverpark Estate, War College, Dunamis, NIGCOMSAT, Nigeria-Korea Model School; also customers in Lugbe Primary, Zuma Steel, Kapwa Village, NIA Junior/Senior, Tipper Garage, Tudu Wada, Peace Village, Video Club, CRD, 1R, T-Pumpy Estate, New Site, Back of Dunamis, Jedo, and Forte Royal Estate.”
“Customers in Aso Drive, NSA, NASS, NJC, FJC, and Supreme Court; Wubassy Barracks, Army War College, Mambila Barrack, Yara Dua Barrack, DIA, Niger Barrack, Lungi & Agu Irosi Barrack, and surrounding areas.”
“We regret to inform you that the power outage is due to a technical fault on the feeder serving these areas. Our dedicated technical team is working tirelessly to restore power as quickly as possible,” the statement read.
Earlier in February this year, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) announced a blackout in the Capital Territory.
It was noted then that maintenance crews were scheduled to conduct preventive work on the 2x100MVA TR3 & TR4 transformers at the Apo 132/33kV Transmission Substation on Saturday, February 22, and Sunday, February 23, 2025, from 9am to 4pm daily.
As a result, critical areas of Abuja, including the National Hospital, G2 Injection Station, Garki, Area 1, and Asokoro, were expected to experience a seven-hour power cut.
Similarly, the Apo Legislative Quarters, Apo Resettlement, Gudu, Apo Mechanic, and surrounding areas were plunged into darkness for seven hours.
According to the TCN Public Affairs GM, Ndidi Mbah, the power outage was unavoidable due to the inability of Abuja DisCo to receive bulk power supply during the maintenance period.
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