NLC President Addresses Reports of Proposed ₦105,000 Minimum Wage

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President, Joe Ajaero, has responded to news regarding the purported N105,000 minimum wage that was submitted to the tripartite committee that was set up by the federal government.

Ajaero made it clear to reporters during the tripartite committee meeting on Thursday in Abuja that they had not been given a specific sum of money during their private meeting.

Nonetheless, it was noted at the meeting that the committee’s original meeting, which lasted almost three hours in closed session, involved all committee members, including Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, the minister of state for labour.

The committee then broke up into smaller groups to continue their deliberations. The head of the committee, Wale Edun, together with representatives from the Organised Private Sector (OPS), left, and Onyejeocha persisted in his conversation with labour leaders.

Ajaero said, “The committee is still deliberating,” with an air of optimism. Nigerians will be notified when they are finished.

“Not yet,” was his response when asked if any figures had been supplied.

Ajaero said, “No figures have been presented to the committee yet,” in reference to the estimated amount. The entire committee will be the recipient of the proposal.

He went on, “They are in session right now. When they are done, they will bring the idea to the committee’s attention for consideration. We anticipate hearing back favourably by tomorrow, Friday. Official or unofficial information on the N105,000 is not in front of us. Since nothing has been given to us thus far, our position has not changed.

“We cannot confirm the government’s position until it is officially disclosed,” Ajaero said in closing.

Journalists asking about the conclusion of the meeting were told by Onyejeocha that they will be updated as soon as the deliberations were concluded. When we’re done, we’ll share our conclusions.