Minimum wage, LG autonomy top agenda as govs meet in Abuja

Governors of the 36 states of the federation on Wednesday met in Abuja to decide on the burning issue of national minimum wage.

The meeting was also aimed at receiving a briefing and update on the issue of local government autonomy, which is in court and strategizing towards a soft landing.

Deputy Chairman of the NGF and Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde; Dauda Lawal (Zamfara); Charles Soludo (Anambra); Yahaya Inuwa (Gombe); Dikko Umar Radda (Katsina); Uba Sani (Kaduna); Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo); Mohammed Nasir Idris (Kebbi) and others were in attendance.

Also, the deputy governors of Borno and Akwa Ibom States represented their principals at the meeting.

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The agenda of the meeting indicated that the governors were debating the resolutions of the Tripartite Committee on National Minimum Wage to reach a consensus.

Daily Trust reports that the governors had rejected the N62,000 minimum wage proposed by the federal government, explaining that some states would have to borrow to pay salaries if the amount is implemented.

But the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) insist on a N250,000 wage. On Tuesday, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) stepped down the memo on minimum wage.

The governors’ meeting was still ongoing as of press time last night.