The National Assembly has passed a bill to increase the national minimum wage from N30,000 to N70,000 per month, ending a protracted standoff between the government and labour unions.
The bill, which was accelerated through the legislative process, amends the 2019 Minimum Wage Act by reducing the review period for the national minimum wages from five years to three years.
The passage of the bill followed months of negotiations between the government and labour unions, which agreed on the new minimum wage last Thursday.
The Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, and the Trade Union Congress, TUC, had demanded an increase in the minimum wage due to the current economic conditions, marked by soaring prices and a weakening currency.
The bill passed unanimously in both the Senate and the House of Representatives on Tuesday and will take effect once President Bola Tinubu assents to it.
The signing of the bill into law by President Tinubu is eagerly anticipated by workers across the country, who hope for a brighter economic future.
While the passage of the bill is a major victory for Nigerian workers, challenges remain. The government will need to ensure that employers comply with the new minimum wage and that the increase does not fuel more inflation.
Ezinwanne Onwuka, senior staff reporter and columnist with WAP is a Nigerian-based writer and content developer. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy from the prestigious University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Her interests include reading, writing, researching and graphic designing.
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