The House of Representatives has decided to establish an ad hoc committee to address the payment of a new minimum wage for workers in Nigeria. This decision was reached following the adoption of a motion sponsored by 35 lawmakers during Wednesday’s plenary session in Abuja.
Aliyu Madaki, a lawmaker from Kano State, presented the motion, highlighting the challenges faced by Nigerians due to the rising inflation rate. He emphasized that the high inflation rate has made it difficult for the average Nigerian to afford basic necessities such as food, water, housing, education, healthcare, transportation, and clothing.
Madaki pointed out that Nigeria is a signatory to the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which includes Article 23 stating that every individual has the right to just and favorable remuneration to ensure their survival.
Madaki said: “Recall when the fuel subsidy was removed in May 2023, the Federal Government offered palliatives to cushion its effects.
“However, the ameliorative effect of this measure has been overtaken by the continued rise in the cost of goods and services.”
“We are aware that a wage award was granted by the president recently, but the purchasing power is low, owing to the continued rise in the cost of living in the country and the fall of the naira.”
“We are also aware that Trade Economics in 2018 reported the living wage for an individual Nigerian and a Nigerian family to be N43,200 per month and N137,600 per month, respectively. This was a pre-subsidy removal report.”
“Further note that presently, no labourer can live in Nigeria with a wage of less than N100, 000.00.”
In his ruling, the Deputy Speaker of the House, Benjamin Kalu, said the outcome of the process would be sent to the Senate for concurrence.