President Bola Ahmed Tinubu says he needs more time to consult widely on the appropriate amount to be paid as the new minimum wage to workers in the nation’s public sector.
Tinubu stated this at the Federal Executive Council meeting on Tuesday, when the matter was tabled for deliberations.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, disclosed this on Tuesday, while briefing State House Correspondents on the outcome of the FEC meeting.
He said the memo had to be stepped down because the Federal Government thought it wise to consult with other stakeholders, especially as the new wage proposals affects the local government areas, states and the Federal Government.
According to the Minister, “A lot of people have been asking me questions pertaining to whether the New Minimum Wage would come up for deliberations today at FEC, especially whether government was going to have a position on the new wage.
“Recall that there was a report from the tripartite committee, comprising the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress, the Organised Private Sector and the government representatives, these three make up the tripartite committee that discussed on the new minimum wage. They have forwarded a report to the President which he has gone through.
“But consistent with the way it should be done, I want to inform Nigerians that FEC deliberated on that because the new national minimum wage is not just the decision of the Federal Government.
“That memo was stepped down to enable Mr President consult further so that he can have an informed position on what to do. This decision was taken because it affects the States, LG and the Federal Government.”
