The presidency has dismissed rumors suggesting that Wale Edun, the finance minister, proposed a minimum wage of N105,000. Contrary to viral social media claims, Bayo Onanuga, the president’s spokesperson, clarified that no such proposal was made during Edun’s presentation to President Bola Tinubu on June 6.
Edun, alongside Atiku Bagudu from the Ministry of Budget and National Planning, presented a cost implications template for the new minimum wage to President Tinubu, responding to a 48-hour ultimatum. This presentation fueled speculations, with many suggesting that Edun proposed the N105,000 figure. However, Onanuga swiftly debunked these claims on social media, urging the public to disregard them.
The background to this situation lies in the recent strike organized by labor, which commenced on June 3 after several discussions with the National Assembly leadership had yielded no satisfactory outcome. In response, President Tinubu issued a directive for the presentation of cost implications regarding the proposed new minimum wage.
Despite the widespread misinformation, the presidency remains steadfast in denying the alleged proposal. Onanuga emphasized that Edun had not put forward any such figure, urging the public to rely on accurate information.
In a separate development, negotiations between the federal government and organized labor have resulted in four key resolutions, aiming to address concerns surrounding the new minimum wage. These resolutions emerged from a meeting held at the office of George Akume, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, with representatives from the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC).
Going forward, the tripartite committee responsible for the new minimum wage will convene daily for a week, signaling a commitment to finding a mutually beneficial resolution. As discussions continue, the focus remains on achieving fair wages that reflect the needs of Nigerian workers while balancing economic considerations.
