New Minimum Wage: Key Into FG Decision, Ishowo Olanrewaju Charges Governors’ Forum
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New Minimum Wage: Key Into FG Decision, Ishowo Olanrewaju Charges Governors’ Forum
By Alabidun Shuaib AbdulRahman
A renowned Kwara-based analyst and advocate for good governance, Comrade Ishowo Olanrewaju, has expressed dissatisfaction with the stance taken by the Nigerian Governors’ Forum regarding the implementation of the new minimum wage in Nigeria.
In an exclusive interview with INCNews247 on Tuesday, Ishowo emphasized that the new minimum wage, which was supposed to come into effect on April 1, 2024, following the expiration of the previous regime on March 31, has been met with reluctance from the governors.
He said the yet-to-conclude on wage should be paid in uniform across the nation against the excuse of some governors that improved minimum wage can only be paid based on their state capacity.
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“The minimum wage must be the same but any Governor can pay higher than the minimum wage just like it has been demonstrated in Lagos and Edo States,” he said.
Ishowo specifically singled out the Governor of Kwara State, Malam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, who also serves as the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, urging him to align with the Federal Government’s decision to commence payment of the minimum wage starting from May.
“Governor AbdulRahman should lead by example as the Chairman of all governors in Nigeria. He should follow FG suit by boldly assuring the implementation of the new minimum wage in Kwara State instantly upon final agreement on the amount,” Ishowo advocated.
He pointed out that despite the passage of March and April, the Federal Government has taken proactive steps to settle arrears from May salaries onwards anytime the tripartite Committee resolves on the finality.
Ishowo recalled that Kwara State implemented a minimum wage of ₦30,000 in January 2022 for level 7 and above, deviating from the expected implementation date of April 2019.
He said while implementing the new living wage, it shouldn’t be in uniform figures of just 10,000 from level 7 to 14 as previously done but the consequential adjustment should be determined by percentage of take home of each level.
“This deviation from standard practices is unacceptable,” he remarked, noting that the Governor only augmented with 10,000 by almost three years later.
He argued for uniformity in implementing the minimum wage between the Federal Government and State Governments, stressing that it is a legal requirement and must be complied to.
However, Ishowo noted that if the excuse for non-implementation stems from the current revenue allocation formula, which sees the Federal Government receiving 52.68%, states receiving 26.72%, and Local Governments receiving 20.60%, then it is time for the governors to call for a holistic review as soon as possible.
The opinion moulder therefore urged governors to prioritize workers’ welfare in their respective states with commensurable wages and not by mere expressions.
He also charged Governor AbdulRahman and his counterparts to consider Pensioners in the new wage considering their invaluable contributions to the nation’s growth and prosperity.
“They are senior citizens. They should be respected by accommodating them in the new minimum wage,” Ishowo advocated.
INCNews247’s investigation revealed that the Tripartite Committee on the New National Minimum Wage (TCNMW) convened its last meeting in the first week of April to assess reports from public hearings across the six geographical zones held on March 7, 2024.
Despite ongoing deliberations, the governors, in a virtual meeting, announced their commitment to reviewing the committee’s report upon submission, with each state determining its capacity to comply with the proposed wage adjustments.
In a communique signed by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum affirmed their dedication to the process, pledging to prioritize sustainable wage structures while commending workers nationwide for their patience and dedication.
“While we acknowledge various initiatives adopted of recent by way of wage awards and partial wage adjustments, it is imperative to state that the 37-member tripartite committee inaugurated on the National Minimum Wage, is still in consultation and yet to conclude its work.
“As members of the committee, we are reviewing our individual fiscal space as state governments and the consequential impact of various recommendations, to arrive at an improved minimum wage we can pay sustainably,” the communique stated.
The communique added: “We remain committed to the process and promise that better wages will be the invariable outcome of ongoing negotiations,” congratulating workers across the country for their dedication to service and patience.
“We work with the federal government, labour, organised private sector and relevant stakeholders in arriving at an implementable national minimum wage”.
