Federal Government Initiates Review of Minimum Wage

The Federal Government is set to begin the process of reviewing the current national minimum wage, as disclosed by Dr Kamil Shoretire, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, during a capacity-building workshop for labour correspondents in Abuja. Shoretire indicated that discussions are already taking place within the government in preparation for negotiations on a new wage structure.

While an official timetable for these negotiations has not been released, consultations regarding the proposed review are underway. The government plans to publicly share details of the process when it is ready to formally engage the media.

Additionally, Shoretire mentioned that the Federal Government is in discussions with workers in sectors where there have been unresolved disagreements over salaries and allowances. This review is prompted by ongoing pressure from organized labour for an increase in the national minimum wage, which currently stands at ₦70,000, approved in 2024.

Labour groups are advocating for a new minimum wage of ₦500,000 due to inflation and rising living costs.