In a significant move aimed at enhancing productivity and economic well-being for federal workers, the Federal Government has inaugurated the Committee on Consequential Salary Adjustments, established under the National Minimum Wage Act 2024. The committee, chaired by Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack OON, mni, Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF), is tasked with overseeing the adjustments required following the recent increase in the national minimum wage.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration recently raised the minimum wage from ₦30,000 to ₦70,000, marking a 133.33% increase. Walson-Jack praised this decision, highlighting its potential to boost workers’ commitment, economic well-being, and overall productivity. She emphasized the necessity of adjusting salaries across various staff categories to maintain fairness and industrial harmony.
“There is a need to adjust the salaries of other categories of staff, taking into consideration the consequential effect of the new minimum wage,” Walson-Jack explained. She urged the committee members to prioritize maintaining industrial peace and harmony for the benefit of both public service and the nation.
Comrade Benjamin Anthony, National Chairman of the Joint Negotiating Council, expressed appreciation for the government’s decision, describing it as a “stepping stone” towards finalizing discussions on the implementation of the new minimum wage. He emphasized labor’s commitment to working collaboratively with the government to ensure fair and sincere negotiations.
The committee’s terms of reference include negotiating and agreeing on salary adjustments resulting from the National Minimum Wage Act, 2024, and developing an implementation template for the new ₦70,000 minimum wage.
The committee comprises representatives from both the Federal Government and trade unions, including:
- Federal Government Members: Chairman, National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission; Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment; Permanent Secretary, General Service Office, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF); Permanent Secretary, Service Welfare Office (OHCSF); Director-General, Budget Office of the Federation; Secretary, National Assembly Service Commission; Secretary, Federal Judicial Service Commission.
- Trade Union Members: Comrade Benjamin Anthony (National Chairman, Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council); Comrade Oluwole Adeleye Sunday (National President, Nigeria Civil Service Union); Comrade Roselyn Uba Anarah (National President, Nigeria Union of Public Service Reportorial); Comrade Kabiru Ado Minjibir (National President, Medical Health Workers Union of Nigeria); Comrade Michael Nnachi (National President, National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives); Comrade Olowoyo Gbenga (Acting National Secretary, Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council).
At their inaugural meeting, all parties agreed on the urgency of resolving the issues to expedite the implementation of the consequential salary adjustments.