The Nigerian government made a new offer to organized labor on the issue of the minimum wage, increasing the offer from ₦54,000 to ₦57,000 during the ongoing discussions by the tripartite committee. At the meeting in Abuja, the government team took a break to consider the new offer after organized labor reduced its demand from ₦615,000 to ₦500,000. The labor leaders made this adjustment to expedite the negotiation process. A source familiar with the discussions revealed that the government team cited the lack of funds and the private sector’s inability to meet the proposed wage as challenges. Following the consultation, the government increased its offer to ₦57,000, up from the initial ₦54,000. The government acknowledged that the labor’s proposal is evidence-based but raised concerns about non-payment or incomplete implementation of the 2019 minimum wage in eight states. Additionally, they mentioned the lack of funds and the private sector’s limitations in meeting the proposed wage. The government’s proposed ₦57,000 matches the figure proposed by the OPS, but it remains to be seen if Labor will accept this offer.
