The National Assembly is preparing to introduce a bill designed to enforce adherence to the newly established minimum wage across all states in Nigeria. This legislation targets states that fail to comply with the federal minimum wage regulations.
Senator Yemi Adaramodu, representing Ekiti South (APC) and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Publicity, highlighted the Assembly’s determination to develop a robust bill. He assured that once the bill becomes law, it would be uniformly enforced across states, sub-national entities, and the private sector, with stringent penalties for non-compliance.
During a press briefing on Friday, June 14, Senator Adaramodu emphasized the goal of creating an airtight bill that the President will sign into law to ensure universal compliance. He stressed the importance of an inclusive legislative process, encouraging contributions from both legislators and organized labor to help shape the final version of the law.
Regarding the timeline for the bill’s passage once presented by President Tinubu, Senator Adaramodu expressed the Assembly’s readiness to fast-track the legislative process. He assured that the bill would be swiftly passed following a consensus between the federal government and organized labor on the minimum wage amount. “We anticipate an agreement on the minimum wage,” he said. “Upon submission of the bill post-Sallah, we will swiftly deliberate and pass it for the benefit of Nigerian workers.”
The proposed legislation aims to ensure the fair implementation of the minimum wage policy nationwide, reinforcing accountability and compliance among all relevant stakeholders.