President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has formally inaugurated a 37-man Tripartite Committee to fashion out a new National Minimum Wage. Vice President, Kashim Shettima inaugurated the committee on behalf of the President, who is on a private visit to France. Former Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Alhaji Bukar Goni Aji, is chairing the Committee. Shettima who charged them to ensure the timely submission of their recommendations, said the decision to set up the committee is a recognition of the need to ensure a decent living wage and in compliance with the existing National Minimum Wage Act of 2019 which will expire in a few months from now. The VP also urged collective bargaining in good faith, stressing contract adherence and encouraging consultations outside the committee. Membership of the committee cuts across the Federal Government, state government, private sector, and organised labour.
Present for the inauguration are some state governors, including Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State; Mohammed Bago of Niger State; Ademola Adeleke of Osun State, and Bassey Otu of Cross River State.
Members of the committee from the Federal Government, the members include Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, Hon. Minister of State, Labour and Employment (Representing Hon. Minister of Labour and Employment); Mr. Wale Edun; Minister of Finance & Coordinating Minister of the Economy; Alhaji Atiku Bagudu, Hon. Minister of Budget Economic Planning; Dr. (Mrs) Yemi Esan, Head of the Civil Service of the Federation; Dr. Nnamdi Maurice Mbaeri, Permanent Secretary, GSO. OSGF and Ekpo Nta, Esq, Chairman/CEO, NSIWC – Member/Secretary.
From the states, Alh. Mohammed Umar Bago, Governor, Niger State- a representative from North Central; Sen. Bala Mohammed, Governor Bauchi State- a representative from North East; Alh. Umar Dikko Radda, Governor Katsina State- a representative from North West; Prof. Charles Soludo, Governor, Anambra State- a representative from the South East; Sen. Ademola Adeleke, Governor, Osun State- a representative from South West; Mr. Otu Bassey Edet, Governor, Cross River State- a representative from South West is part of the committee.
From the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) – Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, Director-General, NECA; Mr. Chuma Nwankwo; Mr. Thompson Akpabio with also members from the Nigeria Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) include Asiwaju (Dr) Michael Olawale-Cole, National President; Hon. (Dr) Ahmed Rabiu, National Vice President and Chief Humphrey Ngonadi (NPOM), National Life President.
The members from the National Association of Small and Medium Enterprise (NASME) are Dr. Abdulrashid Yerima, President & Chairman of the Council; Hon. Theophilus Nnorom Okwuchukwu, Private Sector representative; Dr. Muhammed Nura Bello, Zonal Vice President, North West and also from the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) are Mrs. Grace Omo-Lamai, Human Resource Director, Nigerian Breweries; Segun Ajayi-Kadir, mni, Director-General, MAN; Lady Ada Chukwudozie, Managing Director, Dozzy Oil and Gas Limited.
From the organised labour, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Comrade Joe Ajaero, President, NLC; Comrade Emmanuel Ugboaja, mni; Comrade Prince Adeyanju Adewale; Comrade Ambali Akeem Olatunji; Comrade Benjamin Anthony and Prof. Theophilus Ndukuba.
Also, members from the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) include Comrade (Engr) Festus Osifo, President, TUC; Comrade Tommy Etim Okon, Ph.D., Deputy President I, TUC; Comrade Kayode Surajudeen Alakija, Deputy President II; Comrade Jimoh Oyibo, Deputy President. III; Comrade Nuhu A. Toro, Secretary-General, and Comrade Hafusatu Shuaib, Chairperson Women Commission.
