The Federal Government has announced that the new minimum wage payments will commence from July 29, 2024. This clarification was made by the National Salaries, Incomes, and Wages Commission (NSIWC) during a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday. The NSIWC Chairman, Ekpo Nta, explained that the date aligns with when President Bola Tinubu approved the bill, following its passage by the National Assembly.
The announcement contradicts an earlier statement by Minister of State for Labour, Nkiruka Onyejeocha, who said the new minimum wage would be implemented starting May 1, 2024. As a result, the government will only owe two months of backpay, to be settled if payments begin by the end of October.
Additionally, the government has approved revisions to several salary structures, including the Consolidated Public Service Salary Structure, as well as the Consolidated Universities Academic and Medical Salary Structures. The Committee on Consequential Adjustments in Salaries for civil servants, headed by the Head of Civil Service, Didi Walson-Jack, agreed on the July 29 effective date after considering Nigeria’s economic situation.
However, the Nigerian Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress have criticized the decision, calling the backdating to July unfair, given earlier promises of a May start date.
The NSIWC also clarified that pensioners, National Youth Service Corps members, and interns will be included in the minimum wage adjustments.
