-Deborah Akinyosoye
THE Federal Government on Monday pleaded with states that have not started implementation of the N70,000, new national minimum wage to start payment immediately.
Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Senator George Akume, who made the plea, said that the federal government is committed to fully implementing the newly approved minimum wage.
Speaking to State House correspondents at the presidential Villa, Abuja, Senator Akume said that the federal government was determined to ensure that workers receive a fair wage, describing the implementation as complete and uncompromising.
Commenting on the level of the administration’s commitment to the implementation of the new minimum wage, he said “quite frankly, the federal government is totally committed to this fully, there’s no half measure about this at all. It’s full”.
The SGF said that President Bola Tinubu prioritised the new minimum wage issue early in his administration, establishing a tripartite committee to examine all aspects of wage adjustment.
This committee included representatives from the federal government, state governors, and the organized private sector, resulting in a consensus on a new wage standard.
He noted that some state governments have already started implementing the wage increase, with a few states even surpassing the ₦70,000 threshold.
Akume commended the states that have initiated payments, expressing hope that those who have yet to start will soon begin honoring the new wage commitment.
He further encouraged these states to fulfill their obligations promptly, underscoring the importance of timely compliance.
According to him, “The issue of the new minimum wage has always been central to the thinking of the government of President Bola Tinubu, and that was why he quickly put in place a tripartite arrangement to look at all the issues, and this was properly carried out.
“The governors were represented, the federal government was represented, the organized private sector was also part of it. So we arrived at the new minimum wage.
“We are very satisfied with it and some state governments have started implementing. Others have even gone beyond ₦70,000. So I believe that there’s no problem with that whatsoever.
“We applaud those who have started. Those who have not started, we just want to appeal to them to start the payment”, he said.
The SGF’s remarks came shortly after his meeting with President Tinubu, marking his first official engagement with the President following the recent cabinet reshuffle.
While addressing questions on the purpose of the meeting, Akume indicated it was a routine discussion on matters of state.