Abuja, Nigeria
The National Assembly has delayed the transmission of the minimum wage bill to President Bola Tinubu, with the process now expected to be completed by Monday. This delay was confirmed by findings from Sunday PUNCH.
The minimum wage bill, which proposed an increase in the national minimum wage from N30,000 to N70,000, swiftly passed through second and third readings in both legislative chambers on Tuesday. However, despite initial plans to transmit the bill to the presidency by Thursday, it has yet to be sent for presidential assent.
Speaking on the matter, Senator Abdullahi Gumel, the Senior Special Assistant on National Assembly Matters, explained the reasons for the delay. “Yes, we delayed the transmission of the Minimum Wage bill because the money bills; the N6.2tn 2024 Appropriation bill (Amended), and the Finance bill were not ready,” he said. Gumel highlighted that the Appropriation committees needed additional time to finalize details on the money bills necessary to fund the new minimum wage.
Senator Gumel further emphasized that the National Assembly’s leadership intends to personally deliver the bills to President Tinubu, aiming to complete this either over the weekend or by Monday. “The leadership wants to take the bills to the president themselves,” he added.
The minimum wage bill was introduced following an executive communication from President Tinubu, who urged the National Assembly to promptly consider and pass the amendment to the National Minimum Wage Act of 2019. Alongside the proposed wage increase, the President also recommended reducing the period for periodic reviews of the national minimum wage from five years to three years.
This legislative action follows an agreement reached between President Tinubu and labor leaders, establishing N70,000 as the new minimum wage for Nigerian workers after a meeting at the Aso Presidential Villa in Abuja.
The delay in the transmission of the bill highlights the National Assembly’s efforts to ensure comprehensive legislative support for the financial implications of the new minimum wage, underscoring their commitment to a smooth implementation process once the bill is signed into law.
