ABUJA, Nigeria — Ajuri Ngelale, the special adviser on media and publicity to President Bola Tinubu, has announced a remarkable commitment that workers should anticipate nothing less than double their current salaries with the forthcoming implementation of the new minimum wage.
In an interview on Channels TV’s Politics Today on Friday, August 4, 2023, Ngelale discussed the Tinubu administration’s strategies to alleviate the consequences of subsidy removal and emphasized the president’s dedication to significantly enhancing the minimum wage.
“I don’t want to preempt the president or the work of the minimum wage committee that is getting it down in those states, but I would say this: the president will want nothing less than a doubling. I mean doubling of the current minimum wage,” Ngelale said.
The declaration comes when the federal government is concerted efforts to reduce the cost of living, particularly food and energy. Support for transport companies, agricultural interventions, Small and Medium Enterprises, SMEs, capitalization are some measures being taken.
This bold initiative by the Tinubu administration coincides with a period when states nationwide have received a substantial boost in revenue. “As of June, 36 states have received N300 billion more than they had received in any previous month in the last two years. They already have more money right now,” Ngelale added.
The commitment to double the minimum wage reflects a broader consensus among the states, as they all agreed during the last National Economic Council, NEC, meeting to support the new minimum wage.
The proposed wage increase is seen by many as a pivotal move to address the social-economic challenges facing the nation’s workers. It has been received with optimism and cautious expectation by labor unions, economists, and the working populace, who await concrete steps toward implementation.
The new policy’s success will hinge on coordinated efforts between the federal and state governments and the private sector to ensure that the doubling of the minimum wage does not trigger inflation or put undue strain on small businesses.
The president’s strong stance on the minimum wage sends a clear message about the administration’s commitment to improving the welfare of Nigerian workers. It signifies an ambitious step towards a more equitable economy, though achieving this significant wage increase will require careful planning, collaboration, and steadfast execution.
Observers and citizens alike will be keenly watching how the Tinubu administration navigates these complexities to fulfill a promise that could have far-reaching implications for the quality of life for millions of Nigerians.
