Tinubu Administration Announces Ongoing Negotiations for New Minimum Wage, Effective May 1, 2024

On Tuesday, President Bola Tinubu approved a salary increment ranging from 25% to 35% for civil servants across six distinct consolidated salary structures. 

Concurrently, the Nigerian government under Tinubu's leadership affirmed that the anticipated new minimum wage is slated to be implemented from May 1, 2024.

Despite the official declaration not being made as of yet due to ongoing negotiations, the government assured that payments reflecting the new minimum wage would be made retroactively from the set date. Minister of State for Labour, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, conveyed these updates during her speech at the May Day celebration in Abuja on Wednesday. Onyejeocha expressed regret over the delay in finalizing the national minimum wage but emphasized the extensive consultations underway to expedite the process.

The delay has sparked responses from major labor unions. The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have repeatedly urged President Tinubu’s administration to accelerate the review process of wage increments. Joe Ajaero, president of the NLC, voiced his opposition to the proposed 35% salary increase, suggesting it was insufficient.

The salary increments approved by President Tinubu affect several key salary structures, including the Consolidated Public Service Salary Structure (CONPSS), Consolidated Research and Allied Institutions Salary Structure (CONRAISS), Consolidated Police Salary Structure (CONPOSS), Consolidated Para-military Salary Structure (CONPASS), Consolidated Intelligence Community Salary Structure (CONICCS), and Consolidated Armed Forces Salary Structure (CONAFSS).

Further addressing the issue, Ajaero highlighted in a Channels Television interview on the program "Sunrise Daily" that the previous minimum wage of N30,000 had expired on April 18. He asserted that the new living wage should be adjusted to N615,000, signaling a significant push from labor representatives for a substantial raise to cope with economic conditions.