“In a swift move, the Nigerian National Assembly has passed the National Minimum Wage Act 2019 (Amendment Bill) just minutes after it was transmitted by President Bola Tinubu.
The bill, which aims to increase the national minimum wage from ₦30,000 to ₦70,000, sailed through both the Senate and House of Representatives with ease, receiving unanimous votes in both chambers.
The President’s request for expedited consideration of the bill was granted, as lawmakers recognized the urgency of addressing the country’s minimum wage.
The bill also proposes reducing the review period for the national minimum wage from five years to three years.
This development comes after weeks of negotiations between the government and organized labor, culminating in an agreement on the new minimum wage of ₦70,000.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) accepted the offer, citing the benefits of more frequent reviews and the current economic realities.
President Tinubu’s administration has taken a significant step towards improving the welfare of Nigerian workers, and the bill’s swift passage is a testament to the collaborative efforts of the government and labor leaders.
With the President’s signature expected soon, the new minimum wage is set to become a reality, bringing relief to workers who have been struggling with the current ₦30,000 wage amidst rising inflation and living costs.”
