The Federal Government, through the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC), has confirmed that the implementation of the new minimum wage will commence from July 2024.
Theis announcement was disclosed by NSIWC chairman, Epko Nta, on Tuesday, during a press briefing in Abuja.
Nta clarified that the decision harmonises with the date President Tinubu approved the bill after its passage by the National Assembly, contrary to earlier statements by the Minister of State for Labour, Nkiruka Onyejeocha, who had promised that payment would begin from May 1, 2024.
This adjustment means the government will owe two months of arrears if payments start by the end of October.
Alongside this, the government has also approved revisions to the Consolidated Public Service Salary Structure and other salary templates.
The Committee on Consequential Adjustments in Salaries for civil servants, led by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack, recommended that the new minimum wage take effect on July 29, 2024, with the discontinued wage award paid up until July 28, 2024. The committee’s decision was based on Nigeria’s current economic climate.
However, labour unions have expressed dissatisfaction with the decision. Benson Upah, Head of Information at the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), criticised the backdating to July as unfair, while Timmy Etim, National Vice President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), argued that the government’s shift from the initial May start date was unjust after the May Day announcement by the Minister of State for Labour.
In response, Nta explained that July 29, 2024, was the official start date since it coincides with the President’s assent to the new wage bill.
He advised any federal public service not yet receiving a circular from the NSIWC to reach out for proper directives to ensure a coordinated implementation, preventing disruptions to salary relativities.
Nta also indicated that further guidance would be issued on how pensioners, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members, and interns would benefit from the wage adjustments.
Additionally, the revised salary templates include various structures such as the Consolidated Research and Allied Institutions Salary Structure, Consolidated Universities Academic Salary Structure, Consolidated Medical Salary Structure, and salary structures for the armed forces, police, para-military, and intelligence community.
Nta concluded by highlighting that these revisions stem from the NSIWC Amendment Act 2024 and the memorandum reached between the Federal Government and trade unions on September 20, 2024.
