The Presidency has denied reports suggesting that the Nigerian government proposed a new minimum wage of N105,000. Special Adviser to the President on Media and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, clarified that the claim is untrue but did not provide the correct proposed amount.
“The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, has not proposed N105,000 as the minimum wage. The contrary story being disseminated is false,” Onanuga stated.
This denial comes amid ongoing negotiations between the government and organized labor over a new minimum wage. Reports had emerged that officials informed newsmen about the proposed N105,000 minimum wage presented by the finance minister to President Bola Tinubu.
Earlier, SaharaReporters revealed that on June 4, President Tinubu instructed Finance Minister Wale Edun to present a new wage template within two days. This directive came as organized labor and the government remain at odds over the wage increase. While labor unions demand N494,000, the government initially proposed N60,000.
In response to an indefinite nationwide strike, which began on Monday and was temporarily relaxed for one week, the government committed to raising the wage above N60,000. However, no new figure has been officially disclosed.
Trade Union Congress President, Comrade Festus Osifo, highlighted the lack of concrete offers from the government.
“The government is yet to present anything to us. What we have been discussing are principles, but no new template yet,” Osifo said.
When asked if the government offered more than N60,000, Osifo confirmed no such proposal had been made.
“The government is yet to present any new offer to us; we are only hoping that by the time we come back tomorrow, something concrete will be available. They are only talking about principles and what is needed to work but nothing new yet on the minimum wage,” he added.