The Federal Government, through the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC), has confirmed that the payment of the new minimum wage will commence in July 2024. This was announced during a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday by NSIWC Chairman, Ekpo Nta.
Nta explained that the effective date for the new wage implementation is tied to the president’s approval of the bill on July 29, 2024, following its passage by the National Assembly. This development contradicts an earlier statement by the Minister of State for Labour, Nkiruka Onyejeocha, who had promised that the payment would take effect from May 1, 2024.
As a result, if the payment begins by the end of October, workers will only receive two months of arrears, covering July and August. The NSIWC also announced the approval of revisions to several salary structures, including the Consolidated Public Service Salary Structure, as part of the government’s wage review process.
The decision to backdate the minimum wage implementation to July has sparked criticism. Speaking to Saturday PUNCH, the Head of Information for the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Benson Upah, called the government’s decision unfair and unacceptable. Similarly, Timmy Etim, National Vice President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), criticized the government for not honoring its initial promise to begin payments in May.
Responding to these concerns, Nta clarified that the president’s approval date of July 29, 2024, aligns with when the National Minimum Wage Act was signed into law. He urged federal public service departments to ensure they follow the NSIWC’s directives to avoid disrupting salary structures across the sector.
Nta also noted that further guidelines would be issued regarding how pensioners, NYSC members, and interns would benefit from the new minimum wage. Other revised templates include the Consolidated Research and Allied Institutions Salary Structure, Consolidated Medical Salary Structure, Consolidated Para-Military Salary Structure, and Consolidated Armed Forces Salary Structure, among others.
The adjustments follow the enactment of the NSIWC Amendment Act 2024 and the memorandum reached by the committee on consequential salary adjustments, resulting from the National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Act 2024.
