“So, I’m envisaging that as from May 2023, the government will empanel the new minimum wage review committee for the nation.
The current Nigerian Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, has recently suggested that the incoming administration of President-elect Bola Tinubu should consider reviewing the current minimum wage of N30,000.
Ngige, who was previously a member of the committee responsible for negotiating the current minimum wage in 2019, has pointed out that the minimum wage in Nigeria should be reviewed every five years to ensure that it aligns with the current standard of living.
He disclosed this during his appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday.
He further stated that he intends to include a recommendation in his handover notes for the incoming administration to begin discussions around the minimum wage as soon as they are sworn in, with a view to implementing any changes by May 2024.
He mentioned that these discussions would involve representatives from the public sector, private sector, and state governments.
Additionally, he noted that the minimum wage bill should be passed a year before its official implementation date, in accordance with the last bill passed on the issue.
“It is a tripartite negotiation involving public sector, private sector and state governments. We entrenched in that bill or law that minimum wage will now have an automaticity of review every five years.
“So, from 2019 when it came into effect to 2024 will be five years but we also made a recommendation in our document which we submitted that the discussion, the negotiation should start one year from May 2024 when it supposed to kick-start.
“So, I’m envisaging that as from May 2023, the government will empanel the new minimum wage review committee for the nation.
“In my handover note which I am going to hand over to the transition committee and the next government, I am recommending that the discussions start anytime from May 2023.” He said.
Ngige also shared some updates on the current status of civil servant pay in Nigeria.
He revealed that the Federal Government has approved a pay increase for civil servants, which will take effect from January 1, 2023 adding that the provision has already been included in the 2023 budget.
The minister explained that the decision to increase salaries was motivated by the current economic situation in the country.
However, Ngige also mentioned that the exact percentage increase has not yet been approved by President Muhammadu Buhari.
He said, “In the Presidential Committee on Salaries, we have done something for the civil servants for those who are on Consolidated Public Service Salary Structure and some corporations, MDAs that are on that CONPSS. CONPSS is the salary scale for civil servants.
“We put a percentage for the President to approve, we have approved it at our own committee level. We said it should take effect from January 1, 2023.”
Ngige praised the Central Bank of Nigeria’s recent policy to redesign the naira note.
He commented that the policy had delivered some “sound benefits.” However, while acknowledging the positive impact of the redesign policy, Ngige also emphasized that the economic challenges facing the country had necessitated the recent pay increase for civil servants.
Afrobeats star, David Adeleke, known as Davido, is thrilled to have cast his vote in the ongoing US elections, marking his first time of participating in an American election.
Born in Atlanta, Davido shared his excitement about the milestone.
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Sharing a picture of himself shortly after casting his vote, the singer wrote, “First time voter !! ”
Earlier, he shared a post on X urging Americans to go out and cast their votes peacefully.
“Election Day yall be safe as you perform your constitutional rights ❤️,” he wrote.
However, he refrained from publicly endorsing any candidate.
The minors who were just released by the Federal Government for their involvement in the end bad governance protest have arrived at the presidential villa, where they will meet briefly with government officials.
Recall that the Federal Government dropped the treason charges levelled against them for their participation in the protest that was held across the country.
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However, a source within the presidency confirmed that the governors of Kano and Kaduna States are already on ground to receive the minors and thereafter hand them over to their respective families.
The source also noted that the meeting will commence by 2pm at the Auditorium in the State House.
Following the directive of the President, Bola Tinubu on Monday, the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, had early Tuesday morning, took over the case file and notified the Federal High Court in Abuja of his decision to discontinue the case against the protesters.
Grammy-winning rapper, Cardi B has shared her intense feelings about the upcoming U.S. presidential election, admitting that her nerves are so high she feels as though she’s running for president herself.
With the election only a day away, Cardi B took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to express her anticipation, telling her 36 million followers, “I don’t know why I’m so nervous for tomorrow. I feel like I’m running for president.”
The Bronx-born rapper and cultural icon recently made headlines for her passionate endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic Party’s candidate, at a rally in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on Friday. Speaking to a crowd of supporters, Cardi B gave a rousing speech, highlighting her concerns about the Republican Party’s candidate, former President Donald Trump. She criticized Trump’s stance on women’s rights, calling him “a hustler who is trying to hustle women out of their rights and hustle Americans out of their money.”
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The rapper, known for her outspoken political views, did not hold back, asserting that Trump is “selling more than watches and sneakers” and accusing him of promoting “bigotry, misogyny, division, chaos, and confusion.” Her words resonated with supporters, many of whom see Cardi B as a voice for younger voters who care about issues like women’s rights, racial equality, and social justice.
Addressing rumors circulating online, Cardi B also clarified that she was not paid to endorse Harris, dispelling speculation that financial incentives were behind her appearance at the rally. “I did this because I believe in the future that Kamala Harris stands for, not for any money,” she tweeted.
Cardi B has been vocal about her political stance throughout the election season, using her platform to encourage her fans to vote and make their voices heard. Her support for Harris has added significant star power to the Democratic campaign, especially among younger and minority voters. As the election approaches, her rally speech and social media statements have brought renewed attention to the high-stakes issues on the ballot.
With her passionate stance, Cardi B has become one of the most influential celebrity advocates in this election cycle, drawing both praise and criticism. As Americans prepare to vote, her message continues to reverberate across social media and beyond, emphasizing the rapper’s commitment to political engagement and advocacy for her beliefs.