Senate President Godswill Akpabio has declared that the recently approved minimum wage of N70,000 will apply to all workers in both the public and private sectors, including domestic staff such as maids, drivers, and gatekeepers.
This declaration was made during a plenary session on Tuesday, underscoring the inclusivity of the new wage policy. The legislation, which was swiftly passed by both chambers of the National Assembly, was introduced by President Bola Tinubu.
Akpabio emphasized the comprehensive nature of the law, stating, “If you are a tailor and you employ additional hands, you cannot pay them below N70,000. If you are a mother with a newborn child and you want to hire a housemaid to look after your child, you cannot pay the person below the approved minimum wage. It is not a maximum wage. It applies to all and sundry.”
Akpabio’s statement highlights the broad application of the new wage law, ensuring that all workers receive fair compensation. He further added, “If you hire a driver or gateman, you cannot pay them below N70,000. So, I’m very delighted that this has been passed, and we now look forward to employers of labour improving on what has been set as a benchmark for all to follow.”
The Senate President also congratulated the Nigeria Labour Congress and all Nigerians on this milestone, noting the reduction in the negotiation period for wage reviews from five years to three. This change is designed to better address the rising cost of living, making it a landmark piece of legislation.
The Senate session concluded with an adjournment until 17th September. The swift passage of the 2024 National Minimum Wage Amendment Act Bill, following President Tinubu’s transmission of the new wage bill to the National Assembly, reflects the urgency and importance of this issue.
The new bill replaces the National Minimum Wage Act, No. 8, 2019, which set a minimum wage of N30,000 with a five-year negotiation period. The updated legislation now mandates a review every three years, responding more promptly to economic conditions.
During the debate on the bill, Senate Majority Leader Opeyemi Bamidele explained that N70,000 was the agreed amount after thorough negotiations, describing it as part of the Federal Government’s strategy to alleviate economic pressures on citizens.
