The Federal Government of Nigeria, through the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC), has announced that the implementation of the new minimum wage will begin on July 29, 2024.
This statement was made by NSIWC Chairman Ekpo Nta during a press briefing held in Abuja on Tuesday.
Nta clarified that the effective date aligns with the day President Bola Tinubu approved the minimum wage bill following its passage by the National Assembly.
This announcement contradicts a prior statement from Minister of State for Labour, Nkiruka Onyejeocha, who indicated that payments would start on May 1, 2024.
Consequently, if payments commence at the end of October, workers will only receive two months of arrears.
In addition to the minimum wage announcement, the NSIWC also approved revisions to various salary structures within the public service. These changes were discussed during a recent meeting of the Committee on Consequential Adjustments in Salaries for civil servants, which agreed to set July 29, 2024, as the effective date for implementing the new minimum wage.
The committee also recommended that any wage awards previously discontinued should be reinstated up to July 28, 2024.
The committee's chairperson, Didi Walson-Jack, emphasized that these decisions were made with consideration of the current economic climate in Nigeria.
However, reactions from labor representatives have been critical. Benson Upah, Head of Information for the Nigerian Labour Congress, described the government's decision as "unacceptable," arguing that backdating to July is unfair to workers. Similarly, Timmy Etim, National Vice President of the Trade Union Congress, expressed disappointment over what he perceives as a breach of trust by the government after earlier assurances.
During the press briefing, Nta reiterated that any federal public service entity lacking official communication regarding these changes should reach out to NSIWC for guidance.
