Nigerian House of Representatives Lawmakers have proposed at least N100,000 minimum
Nigerian House of Representatives Lawmakers have proposed at least N100,000 minimum wage for Nigerian workers. This is even as the House has set up an ad-hoc committee to look into modalities for the payment of a decent living wage to workers. This followed the adoption of a motion jointly sponsored by 40 members of the House.
Moving the motion on behalf of the sponsors, Aliyu Sani Madaki (NNPP, Kano) said the rising rate of inflation in the country had made it difficult for an average Nigerian to afford basic needs such as food, water, housing, education, healthcare, transportation, and clothing. He also noted that the rising inflationary rate in the country had impacted negatively on the cost of living with the cost of food, accommodation, education, and transportation skyrocketing.
Nigerian lawmakers in the House of Representatives have proposed a minimum wage of at least N100,000 for workers in the country. Additionally, an ad-hoc committee has been established by the House to examine the methods for implementing a decent living wage for workers. The motion, supported by 40 House members, was introduced by Aliyu Sani Madaki (NNPP, Kano), who highlighted the challenges faced by Nigerians due to the escalating inflation rate. He emphasized the impact of inflation on essential needs like food, shelter, education, healthcare, transportation, and clothing. Madaki pointed out Nigeria’s commitment to the United Nations Universal Declaration on Human Rights, specifically mentioning Article 23, which emphasizes fair remuneration for workers to ensure a dignified existence for them and their families. He also noted the importance of meeting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, with eight out of 17 goals requiring the provision of a living wage. Madaki highlighted the government’s previous efforts to mitigate the effects of measures such as the removal of fuel subsidies in May 2023 but noted that these measures had been overshadowed by the persistent rise in the cost of goods and services, resulting in a continued decline in purchasing power despite recent wage adjustments by the president.
Madaki underscored Nigeria’s commitment to the United Nations Universal Declaration on Human Rights, particularly emphasizing Article 23’s provision for fair remuneration to ensure workers and their families live in dignity. Additionally, he highlighted the significance of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, noting that eight of the 17 SDGs necessitate the implementation of a living wage. Reflecting on the removal of fuel subsidies in May 2023, Madaki acknowledged the government’s efforts to provide palliatives but noted that the ongoing surge in the cost of goods and services had nullified these measures. Despite recent wage adjustments by the president, he lamented the persistent decline in people’s purchasing power due to the escalating cost of living and the depreciation of the naira.
