Senate President Godswill Akpabio emphasized that the new national minimum wage applies to the entire nation, including the Federal Government, states, local governments, the private sector, and individual employers. During the signing ceremony of the Minimum Wage Act (Amendment) Bill by President Bola Tinubu at the State House on Monday, Akpabio highlighted the significant increase from ₦30,000 to ₦70,000, noting that no Nigerian worker should be paid less than this amount from now on.
Akpabio praised the rapid passage of the bill by the National Assembly, attributing it to their excitement about the positive impact on workers. He also addressed those planning protests, asserting their right to peaceful demonstrations while cautioning against violence. Akpabio linked the current economic hardships to years of insecurity and expressed confidence in President Tinubu’s efforts to address these challenges.
Professor Julius Ihonvbere, representing Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, echoed these sentiments, stating that the wage increase and shortened negotiation period demonstrate a commitment to improving Nigeria’s prospects. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the minimum wage will be reviewed every three years instead of the previous five, reflecting the government’s responsiveness to labor leaders’ advocacy.