Governors to Review New Minimum Wage Processes Based on What States Can Afford

Chuks Okocha in Abuja

Governors of the federation after a virtual meeting on Wednesday said they would review the report of the tripartite committee, when submitted and each state reached a decision on what they would be able to pay.
They also said whenever the report was submitted, they would review the fiscal position of states to determine their ability to pay, but nonetheless, they pledged to cooperate with the federal government on the implementation of the minimum wage
In a communique of their meeting signed by AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, Chairman, Nigeria Governors’ Forum and  Governor of Kwara State, the governors were clear about their position.

“While we acknowledge various initiatives adopted of recent by way of wage awards and partial wage adjustments, it is imperative to state that the 37-member tripartite committee inaugurated on the National Minimum Wage, is still in consultation and yet to conclude its work.
“As members of the committee, we are reviewing our individual fiscal space as state governments and the consequential impact of various recommendations, to arrive at an improved minimum wage we can pay sustainably,” the communique stated.

The communique added: “We remain committed to the process and promise that better wages will be the invariable outcome of ongoing negotiations,” congratulating  workers across the country for their dedication to service and patience.
“We work with the federal government, labour, organised private sector and relevant stakeholders in arriving at an implementable national minimum wage,” the communique added.

The communique stated that, the governors  received the outgoing Country Director, Mr. Shubham Chadhuri, and the incoming Country Director, Mr. Ndiame Diop, of the World Bank, to discuss the bank’s vision for transitioning.
They said Chadhuri appreciated the governors for the strategic role it has continued to play in coordinating collective action for developmental change.
He also applauded the non-partisan character of the forum, the professionalism of its secretariat, and state governments’ commitment to mutual accountability mechanisms such as performance-based financing interventions by the Bank.
The governors  expressed confidence in the choice of Mr. Diop, to lead the collaboration going forward and looked forward to a sustained and deepened relationship.

They further discussed the revised National Policy on Justice (2024 -2028) from the just concluded National Summit on Justice on 24th and 25th April 2024, and agreed to consider the submissions from the summit as might concern the individual states, including recommended legal amendments, administrative improvements, and policies to strengthen the justice sector.
The governors reiterated that they were committed to looking into issues bordering on remuneration of state judicial officers and the infrastructure of the Courts.

The governors equally received a presentation from the National Human Capital Development (HCD) Programme – Core Working Group Secretariat, led by Ms. Rukaiya El-Rufai and Dr. Ahmad Abdulwahab.
It stated that both highlighted the marginal progress made by the states and its contribution to Nigeria’s Human Development Index (HDI), especially across health, nutrition, education, and labour force participation.

“Having reviewed the previous programme design and national strategy, a revised governance and implementation roadmap was proposed to scale up impact and ensure sustainability. Members pledged to support the effective domestication of proposed revisions to the national HCD strategy,” the communique stated.
Also, it indicated that governors received a briefing from Mrs. Oyinda Adedokun, Programme Manager, State Action on Business Enabling Reforms (SABER) Federal Ministry of Finance Program Coordination Unit.

“The briefing highlighted States’ performance in implementing advocated reforms relating to land administration; regulatory framework for private investment in fiber optic infrastructure; services provided by investment promotion agencies and public-private partnership units; efficiency and transparency of government-to-business services, under the World Bank financed program.

“The Forum commiserated with the Governors of Rivers State, H.E Siminalayi Fubara and Ogun State, H.E Prince Dapo Abiodun, over the petrol tanker explosion and Gas explosion that occurred on 26th and 27th April 2024, respectively. Members called for proper maintenance of Trucks especially those fitted to convey Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and recommended appropriate training for truck drivers.

“On enforcement of regulations, members resolved to engage relevant Ministries, Departments & Agencies (MDAs) in order to align the activities of federal regulators with the operations of officials at the sub-national level,” the communique stated.