Tinubu to Labour: “I’ll only approve a minimum wage within Nigeria’s means”

President Bola Tinubu has said he will approve what the government can afford as the new minimum wage for workers in the country.

He stated this on Wednesday at a dinner to mark Nigeria’s 25 years of unbroken Democracy in Abuja.

The President appreciated those who stood by him over the years and promised Nigerians that he won’t depart from the tenets of democratic governance.

“I have to celebrate with you my dear brother, Senate President, Deputy Senate President,” he said, adding that Senate President Godswill Akpabio and his deputy, Jibrin Barau would soon get an Executive Bill from him on the new minimum wage.

“The minimum wage is going to be what Nigerians can afford, what you can afford and what I can afford. Cut your coat according to your size, if you have size at all,” he said.

The President also promised to bring down the prices of food by tackling the menace of banditry that has forced many farmers away from their farms.

Earlier, in his Democracy Day speech, the President honoured MKO Abiola and other heroes of democracy.

He also rallied Nigerians to support his administration’s efforts to strengthen the economy and informed citizens that a bill for a new minimum wage would be sent to the National Assembly soon, among other things.

On Friday, June 7, 2024, the two sides (labour and the government) failed to reach an agreement. While labour dropped again its demand from ₦494,000 to ₦250,000, the government added ₦2,000 to its initial ₦60,000 and offered workers ₦62,000.

Both sides submitted their reports to the President who is expected to make a decision and send an executive bill to the National Assembly to pass a new minimum wage bill to be signed into law by the President.

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