News
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.
…says his second edition should reflect more realities by mentioning names
By Emmanuel Agaji
The Senator representing Abia North Senatorial District, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has said he is grateful to God that former President Ibrahim Babangida’s book has corrected the wrong impression of an Igbo coup in 1966.
Naijablitznews reports Senator Kalu made this assertion while addressing the press before entering the Senate Chamber on Tuesday morning.
He explained that:” I am happy that the wrong impression created that the 1966 coup an Igbo coup has been corrected that it was a Nigerian coup gladdens my heart.
“Though we the Igbos were made to bear the brunt but thank God the impression has been erased finally.
The former Senate Chief Whip however appealed to his master (IBB) to quickly come out with a second edition as this first edition did not capture some realities.
“In the second edition he should vividly mention names like Professor Humphrey Nwosu and other people who played prominent roles on June 12 issue.
“You know IBB is my master, I will soon go and visit him and formally inform him.
Watch video below:
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Mr Nuhu Ribadu has countered former governor of Kaduna state, Mr Nasr El-Rufai over his unsavoury comments declaring that he would help his principal, Bola Tinubu succeed.
He said in a statement that he has not discussed contesting in 2031 with anyone.
PREMIUM TIMES reported that Mr El-Rufai on Monday accused Mr Ribadu of being behind his ordeal with anti-graft agencies. He alleged that Mr Ribadu was doing so because he is interested in succeeding President Bola Tinubu in 2031.
In his response, Mr Ribadu said in a statement that he has not discussed contesting in 2031 with anyone.
“For the avoidance of doubt, I want to put it on record that I have never discussed running for president in 2031 with anybody. All my focus and energy are geared completely towards the advancement of Nigeria and the success of the President Tinubu administration,” he said.
Messrs Ribadu and El-Rufai were friends and allies during the Obasanjo administration and that of the late Umar Yar’Adua. However, both men have become political adversaries although they are both members of the ruling party, APC.
In his statement, Mr Ribadu alluded to their history.
“If my silence wouldn’t risk being construed as consent, I would have ignored him. I am too preoccupied with my current assignment as to get into a media fight with Nasir El-Rufai or anyone else.
“Despite the incessant baiting and attacks I have never spoken ill of Nasir on record anywhere. This is out of respect for our past association and our respective families. I will not start today.”
Read the full statement below
I WON’T JOIN ISSUES WITH NASIR EL-RUFAI
My attention has been drawn to the interview granted by Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, the immediate past governor of Kaduna State Monday evening.
If my silence wouldn’t risk being construed as consent, I would have ignored him. I am too preoccupied with my current assignment as to get into a media fight with Nasir El-Rufai or anyone else.
Despite the incessant baiting and attacks I have never spoken ill of Nasir on record anywhere. This is out of respect for our past association and our respective families. I will not start today.
I however urge the public to disregard El-rufai’s statements against me.
For the avoidance of doubt, I want to put it on record that I have never discussed running for president in 2031 with anybody. All my focus and energy are geared completely towards the advancement of Nigeria and the success of the President Tinubu administration.
I therefore ask Nasir El-Rufai to allow me face my onerous national assignment just as I do not bother myself with his own affairs.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Angry Omoyele Sowore, The Publisher of Sahara Reporters and former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, on Monday clashed with security operatives who wanted to stop him from entering the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The security cordon of the court gate by operatives drawn from Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), was emplaced because of the trial of the former Kogi State governor Yahaya Bello.
Bello is charged with money laundering and misappropriation of public funds.
In a video posted on his X account on Monday, Sowore, singlehanded, dared the security operatives, questioning their authority to prevent his entry.
“Why are you shouting at me? Do I look like Yahaya Bello?” he asked.
“I have business in court. I don’t need to be cleared by either the police or EFCC because none of you is an officer of the court.
“This is a Federal High Court; bring court officials, and I will talk to them. EFCC brought me to court, and they are still harassing us.”
“You have no right to stand in front of the high court. You are not my lawyer and have no right to know my case,” he stated in response to a request by one of the security operatives to know the particulars of his case.
Overwhelmed by Sowore’s readiness to make big trouble and possibly expose the errors by the security operatives, one of the senior officers eventually directed that Sowore be allowed to enter.
Condemning the incident, Sowore wrote, “The justice system in Nigeria has been hijacked by uniformed, uncouth security agents ranging from @OfficialDSSNG, @PoliceNG, and @CivilDefenceNGR. Today, they mounted illegally in front of the court, harassing everybody because of a thief, Yahaya Bello @officialgybkogi. The same Yahaya Bello they couldn’t apprehend for months; even lawyers were harassed, and the @NigBarAssoc should stop this nonsense.”
In January 2025, Sowore was arrested and charged with 17 counts under the Cybercrime Act for referring to Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun as an “illegal IGP” on his social media platforms.
In the charges, it was alleged that Sowore’s statements were intended to cause a breakdown of law and order.
Sowore’s arrest sparked criticisms from various human rights organizations, which viewed the charges as an attempt to suppress voice of dissent and freedom of expression.
IBB’s Book: “I thank God the Igbo coup wrong impression has been buried -Senator Kalu(Video)
2031: Ribadu replies El-Rufai, says he’s focused on helping Tinubu’s govt succeed
Angry Sowore slams security operatives at Abuja court gate who tried to block him
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