The Federal Government, through the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC), has announced that the implementation of the new minimum wage will officially begin on July 29, 2024. This decision was shared by the NSIWC Chairman, Ekpo Nta, during a press conference held in Abuja on September 26, 2024.

New Payment Schedule

Contrary to previous statements from the Minister of State for Labour, Nkiruka Onyejeocha, who indicated that payments would start on May 1, 2024, the government confirmed that arrears will only cover two months if payments commence by the end of October. This decision stems from the date the President approved the bill after it was passed by the National Assembly.

In a recent meeting, the Committee on Consequential Adjustments in Salaries for civil servants agreed on this implementation date for the new minimum wage. They also recommended reinstating the wage award that had been previously discontinued until July 28, 2024.

Economic Considerations and Reactions

The committee, led by the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack, emphasized that the government’s decision took the current economic situation into account. However, this announcement has sparked criticism from labor leaders.

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Benson Upah, Head of Information for the Nigerian Labour Congress, labeled the backdating to July as “unfair” and “unacceptable.” Timmy Etim, the National Vice President of the Trade Union Congress, echoed these sentiments, stating that it was inconsistent for the government to deviate from earlier assurances given to workers on May Day.

Clarification from the NSIWC

In his remarks, Chairman Nta explained, “The effective date for the commencement of the National Minimum Wage is July 29, 2024, as that was the day Mr. President assented to the act after the bill was forwarded to him by the National Assembly.” He urged any federal public service entity that has not received official circulars regarding this matter to reach out to the NSIWC for guidance to ensure consistent implementation and maintain salary relativity across the federal public service.

Future Guidance for Stakeholders

Nta assured that the NSIWC would provide additional directives concerning how pensioners, NYSC members, and interns would benefit from the new wage implementation. He also outlined various revised salary structures, including:

  • Consolidated Research and Allied Institutions Salary Structure
  • Consolidated Universities Academic Salary Structure
  • Consolidated Tertiary Institutions Salary Structure II
  • Consolidated Polytechnics and Colleges of Education Academic Staff Salary Structure
  • Consolidated Medical Salary Structure
  • Consolidated Health Salary Structure
  • Consolidated Para-Military Salary Structure
  • Consolidated Police Salary Structure
  • Consolidated Intelligence Community Salary Structure
  • Consolidated Armed Forces Salary Structure

This adjustment is in accordance with the enactment of the NSIWC Amendment Act 2024 and a Memorandum of Understanding established between the Federal Government and the Trade Union representatives of the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council on September 20, 2024.