The Federal Government has inaugurated a 37-member tripartite committee to recommend a new national minimum wage for Nigeria.
Inaugurating the committee in State House Abuja, Tuesday, Vice President Kashim Shettima charged the members to ensure that their recommendations were submitted in good time.
The committee which is chaired by Goni Bukar Aji, former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation is made up of members of the organised labour, the private sector and the federal and state governments.
The Vice President said the setting up of the committee was prompted by the Federal Government’s recognition of the need to ensure decent living wages for Nigerians and in compliance with the existing National Minimum Wage Act of 2019 which will expire in a few months from now.
Membership of the committee cuts across the Federal Government, state government, private sector, and organised labour.
Present for the inauguration were 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 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.
Members from the states include Alh. Mohammed Umar Bago, Governor, Niger State- representative from North Central; Sen. Bala Mohammed, Governor Bauchi State- representative from North East; Alh. Umar Dikko Radda, Governor Katsina State- representative from North West; Prof. Charles Soludo, Governor, Anambra State- representative from the South East; Sen. Ademola Adeleke, Governor, Osun State- representative from South West and Mr. Otu Bassey Edet, Governor, Cross River State- representative from South South.
Those from the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), include Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, Director-General, NECA; Mr. Chuma Nwankwo and Mr. Thompson Akpabio.
Members from the Nigeria Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) include Dr Michael Olawale-Cole, National President; Dr Ahmed Rabiu, National Vice President, and Chief Humphrey Ngonadi (NPOM), National Life President.
Members from the National Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (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, membership 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.
