By Sabiu Abdullahi
The Nigerian Senate has unanimously passed the amended National Minimum Wage Act, paving the way for a significant increase in the minimum wage for Nigerian workers.
The bill, transmitted by President Bola Tinubu, rapidly progressed through the first, second, and third readings, and was approved by the Senate in a matter of minutes.
Following a thorough clause-by-clause examination in the Committee of the Whole, the National Minimum Wage Bill was passed, aiming to raise the national minimum wage from N30,000 to N70,000.
This new amount was agreed upon by the Nigerian government and the Organised Labour leadership.
President Tinubu had urged the Senate and House of Representatives to expedite consideration of the bill, also proposing to reduce the review period for the national minimum wage from five years to three years.
The bill’s passage marks the end of a prolonged dispute between the government and the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), which led to industrial action.
The new law promises a substantial improvement in the minimum wage for Nigerian workers.
As President Tinubu noted, the increased minimum wage represents a crucial step towards enhancing the welfare of Nigerian workers.