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Tripartite committee makes Minimum Wage recommendation to President Tinubu
The acting Minister of Labour and Employment, Hon. Nkiruika Onyejeocha has disclosed that the report of the Tripartite Committee on the new minimum wage submitted to President Bola Tinubu depicts a “balanced and realistic approach to addressing the myriad challenges faced by our workforce.”
She stated that, “These submissions are not just recommendations; they are a blueprint for actionable reforms that will drive sustainable improvements in labour conditions across the country.”
Hon. Onyejeocha disclosed this on Monday during a one-day retreat on ‘Labour reforms and the quest for living wage in Nigeria: A Focus on Legislative intervention’, organised by National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), for Chairmen and Members of joint Senate and House Committees on Employment, Labour and Productivity.
She emphasised the present administration’s resolve towards transforming the labour landscape in Nigeria, ensuring that every worker is respected, protected, and fairly compensated.
Hon. Onyejeocha said: “The Government of Nigeria, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is unwavering in its dedication to ensuring that all workers are treated with dignity, work in safe environments, and earn a living wage. Our vision is clear: to create a labour market that is fair, equitable, and capable of sustaining the aspirations of every Nigerian worker.
“Central to our efforts is the work of the Tripartite Committee comprising of Government, Organized Private Sector and Organized Labour, which has diligently engaged with stakeholders on the critical issue of a New National Minimum Wage.
“The Committee’s comprehensive submissions to Mr. President reflect a balanced and realistic approach to addressing the myriad challenges faced by our workforce. These submissions are not just recommendations; they are a blueprint for actionable reforms that will drive sustainable improvements in labour conditions across the country.
“One of the key initiatives of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment is the Labour and Employment Empowerment Program (LEEP). LEEP embodies our holistic approach to labour reform, with a specific pillar dedicated to labour reforms and labour compliance enhancement.
“This initiative aims to ensure that employers adhere strictly to the highest standards of occupational health and safety. By fostering a culture of compliance, we are not only protecting workers but also promoting a business environment that is conducive to productivity and growth.
“As we embark on these reforms, we are particularly focused on factories and industrial parks. These areas are critical to our industrial strategy and the well-being of thousands of workers. Our plan is to rigorously enforce safety standards and ensure that employers provide safe and healthy working conditions. This is not just about compliance; it is about creating workplaces where workers can thrive without fear of injury or exploitation.”
While acknowledging the role of legislative intervention, Hon. Onyejeocha underscored the need for the standing Committees saddled with the responsibility of legislative oversight and indeed the Parliament, to enact “laws that protect and empower workers are vital to the success of our reform agenda. Together, and as your colleague, we can do more and indeed, build a legal framework that supports our vision for a just and equitable labour market.
“Let us come together to sponsor and pass bills that reflects the yearnings of our labour force across all sectors. Let us indeed create laws and policies that not only foster productivity and growth amongst our workforce, but also commensurably punish offenders and violators of labour laws. This is the only pathway to true reform!
“In closing, I would like to reaffirm the Government’s unwavering commitment to labour reforms and the living wage. We are on a path to transforming the labour landscape in Nigeria, ensuring that every worker is respected, protected, and fairly compensated. This is our promise to the Nigerian people, and with your continued support, we will achieve it.”
Meanwhile, the NILDS Director General, Professor Olanrewaju Sulaiman who observed that the industrial relations atmosphere in Nigeria has been characterized by industrial disputes such as strikes, lockouts, and work stoppages, lamented that the situation “has a serious impact on worker productivity and national development, as no nation can develop in an atmosphere of crisis and work stoppages.
“This situation is further compounded by the recent harsh economic conditions of workers, which have been affected by many factors including inflation and high costs of living that have eroded workers’ welfare and weakened living standards. This situation calls for a review of the national minimum wage to ensure that workers’ conditions are improved following present-day realities.
“In the quest for a realistic national minimum wage, the Federal Government of Nigeria has constituted a tripartite national minimum wage negotiation committee, which is expected to come up with a realistic minimum wage rate that will improve the living conditions of Nigerian workers and motivate them for higher productivity.
“Indeed, any agreement reached by the tripartite negotiation committee must be submitted to the legislature for enactment. It is therefore imperative for the legislature to understand the processes of the minimum wage and its implications for worker welfare, economic growth, and the national development of the nation.
“The legislature must also have a holistic view of the environment under which labour administration is carried out in the country.
“It is in recognition of this fact that NILDS has organized this one-day national retreat. The retreat is most relevant as part of the NILDS contribution to the ongoing quest for a sustainable living wage that is capable of supporting the renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu’s administration in Nigeria.
“In addition, this retreat is also relevant because the issue of the national minimum wage is on the exclusive list that can only be legislated upon by the National Assembly. The platform offered by this seminar will therefore equip members of the Committees and other stakeholders here present to share experiences that will culminate into a robust legislative intervention in the labour reform process.”
The Delta State Government has vowed to shut down all unapproved nursery and primary schools across the state.
The measure is being taken “to sanitise the private sector participation in the primary education sector in the state.”
This was contained in a government special announcement signed by the Director of Public Communication/Functioning Permanent Secretary in the State Ministry of Information, Theresa Adiabua Oliko.
Copies were made available to journalists in Warri on Thursday.
The government, however, advised owners of all unapproved primary schools across the state to “upgrade” within the 21-day ultimatum or risk being shut down.
The public announcement partly reads, “It is hereby announced for the information of the public, particularly owners of private nursery and primary schools in Delta State, that the government, pursuance to its responsibility to sanitise the private sector participation in the primary education sector in the state, that all unapproved primary schools in the state are hereby given a 21-day ultimatum to upgrade their infrastructure and formalise their status with the ministry of primary education with immediate effect.
“Failure to comply with this directive will attract severe sanctions, including outright closure of all such schools.
“The 21-day ultimatum has become imperative as a result of the proliferation of unapproved private schools whose poor infrastructural facilities, unqualified teachers and unhealthy operational environment have become worrisome to the state government.”
The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio on Thursday, berated former lawmaker representing Adamawa North Senatorial District, Elisha Abbo, saying he has no hand in his removal from the National Assembly.
The clarification was made in a statement issued in Abuja by Akpabio’s media aide, Eseme Eyiboh.
Abbo was sacked by the Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja on October 16, 2023.
The judgment delivered by a three-member panel presided over by Justice C.E. Nwosu-Iheme ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission to issue a Certificate of Return to Amos Yohanna of the Peoples Democratic Party as the duly elected lawmaker representing the area at the Senate.
The appellate court vacated the tribunal judgment which had earlier affirmed Abbo of the All Progressives Congress as the winner of the senatorial election.
But speaking on a live programme on Arise Television on Wednesday, Abbo blamed Akpabio for his predicament.
The Adamawa politician also accused the Senate President of running the Red Chamber like an emperor.
This was even as he condemned the suspension of the senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who is presently battling to retain her mandate.
Reacting, Akpabio said he was shocked to hear Abbo blame him again for his ouster from the Senate barely two years after apologising to him.
He said, “It is sad and regrettable that despite publicly retracting a similar allegation in 2023—after admitting that his earlier accusation was premature and based on the available information at our disposal—Mr. Abbo has once again embarked on a campaign of misinformation and blame transfer.
“Following a discussion with the Senate President last year, Mr. Abbo himself acknowledged that Senator Akpabio had ‘no involvement’ in the judicial process that led to his removal. It is puzzling that he would now return to the same baseless allegations he once renounced.”
Continuing, Akpabio emphasised that it was the court and not him that determined his fate before he was consequently removed.
The former governor asserted that he, therefore, found it illogical and irresponsible that Abbo could turn around and allege that he influenced the judgment that he accepted at the time.
“It is there in the papers (see PUNCH Newspaper of 18th October 2023). Mr Abbo has also sought to create the impression that he was unjustly denied official benefits following his ouster. He claims entitlement to salaries, allowances, and even an official vehicle, despite the court’s declaration that his tenure was null and void ab initio.
“If any of Abbo’s claims for payment did not reach the desk of the Senate President, it is because they failed to meet these lawful standards—not because of any personal or political vendetta. It is unfortunate that instead of accepting the consequences of his legal and political failings, Abbo continues to resort to media theatrics and reckless finger-pointing.
“Akpabio remains focused on the noble task of nation-building, providing purposeful leadership in the Senate, and strengthening democratic institutions—especially the independence of the judiciary. He will not be distracted by the antics of individuals who seek to rewrite history to mask personal failures.
“We urge Mr Abbo to reflect deeply, respect the rule of law, and focus on rebuilding the confidence of his constituents if he hopes to return to public life. Nigeria’s democracy can only thrive when its actors show maturity, responsibility, and an abiding respect for the truth,” the statement added.
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority has strongly cautioned international airlines against the increasing complaints from passengers who are transported partway to their destinations, only to be deported back to Nigeria.
The NCAA criticised this practice, emphasising that it has led to considerable distress for passengers and damaged the reputation of Nigeria’s aviation industry.
The NCAA’s Director of Consumer Protection and Public Affairs, Michael Achimugu, announced this in a signed statement on Thursday.
“These actions, which involve the refusal of boarding or denial of entry at intermediate or transit stops due to visa and travel restrictions, are completely unacceptable,” he said.
The NCAA stressed that airlines are responsible for informing passengers of any potential obstacles to their entry before their journey begins.
“Passengers should not be put in a position where they are denied entry or returned to Nigeria only upon arrival at transit stops,” Achimugu added.
Referring to the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations 2023 (Part 19.21.1.1), the NCAA reiterated that airlines and their agents are obligated to inform travellers of any potential entry restrictions before departure.
“Airlines must take appropriate measures to screen and provide passengers with accurate, up-to-date information regarding their travel documents and visa requirements before issuing tickets or allowing boarding,” the statement read.
In light of these issues, the NCAA has announced immediate enforcement measures.
“Effective immediately, any airline found engaging in such practices will face regulatory action, including fines, suspension of flight operations, or other penalties deemed appropriate,” Achimugu warned.
“The NCAA expects the cooperation of all airlines in maintaining the integrity and professionalism of the aviation industry, as well as ensuring the wellbeing of Nigerian passengers,” the statement read.
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