President Bola Tinubu yesterday met with the Organised Labour leadership, led by NLC’s Joe Ajaero and TUC’s Festus Osifo, to discuss the new national minimum wage.
The meeting, which lasted about an hour, focused on the current economic realities in the country, with both sides agreeing to reconvene in a week’s time.
Ajaero and Osifo stated that the meeting was not a negotiation but a discussion, with the status quo remaining until the next meeting. The Organised Labour is demanding N250,000, while the government and private sector are offering N62,000.
Despite the deadlock, Labour and Employment Minister Nkeiruka Onyejeocha described the meeting as “fruitful,” while Information Minister Mohammed Idris expressed hope for a positive outcome after next week’s talks.
President Tinubu suggested reviewing the minimum wage every two years instead of five, prioritizing workers’ welfare and realistic expectations. The Organised Labour emphasized the need for an upward adjustment, citing the difficulties faced by Nigerian workers.
The meeting was adjourned till next week to allow for wider consultation and internalization. Both sides expressed optimism, with the government hoping to reach an agreement that will benefit all Nigerians.
