President Bola Tinubu has declared that the federal government will establish a minimum wage it can sustain.
This statement was made during a meeting with governors and members of the national assembly at the State House on Wednesday night, coinciding with the nation’s 25th Democracy Day anniversary.
Earlier on Wednesday, President Tinubu addressed the nation, stating that the federal government had engaged in negotiations with organized labor “in good faith and with open arms” regarding a new national minimum wage. He announced plans to present an executive bill to the national assembly, aiming to formalize the agreed-upon wage for the next five years or less.
The federal government proposed a new minimum wage of N62,000, while organized labor demanded N250,000. Despite these discussions, the organized labor responded that no agreement had been reached.
At the State House, Tinubu emphasized that the federal government would pay a wage that aligns with its financial capabilities. “Senate president, deputy senate president, you will get a notice from me if I have changed my mind on minimum wage. We are going to do it — what Nigeria can afford, what you can afford, what I can afford. They ask you to cut your coat according to your size, if you have size at all,” Tinubu stated.
The president also commended the governors for their efforts to enhance the welfare of the populace.
“My sincere gratitude to all of you standing by me. I promise you, I won’t fail. Nigeria is a great country. We include in our national anthem the essence of service. I have seen many governors both live and on TV serving their people and many of them are here tonight,” Tinubu said.
Tinubu specifically mentioned governors Umo Eno of Akwa, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara, Uba Sani of Kaduna, Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta, Alex Otti of Abia, and Ahmed Ododo of Kogi, adding, “If I miss you, forgive me,” to the other governors present.
He highlighted the importance of unity and patriotism, stating, “Everybody has forgotten the partisanship color and embraces the green, white, green that depicts Nigeria. That is the value that we hold dear to ourselves. That is the baton, that is the reason that we say we hand over a banner without stain to our children and grandchildren. Nigeria is greater than any one of us. That is why the unity of this country cannot be traded.”
President Tinubu also addressed the issue of national security, acknowledging its impact on food production.
He stressed the need for the nation’s value system to be instilled in youths, encouraging them to adopt a responsible lifestyle and reject violence and crime.
In his remarks, Tinubu praised customs officers who recently refused bribes from suspects attempting to vandalize railway tracks.
“Distinguished leaders, we have a lot of work that we must do about our county, about our citizens. Citizenship is not just the dictionary meaning of it, it is the actual character in us to teach these to achieve it,” Tinubu said.
