Multiple social media users and online blogs as seen here, here, here, here, and here, have claimed that Nigeria’s minister of finance and coordinating minister of the economy, Wale Edun, has proposed the sum of N105,000 as the new national minimum wage. This is amid the ongoing negotiations between organised labour and the federal government over a new national minimum wage for workers.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) embarked on a nationwide indefinite strike on Monday, June 3, 2024, over the demand for an increased minimum wage among other issues. The unions, however, suspended the strike for five days after signing an agreement with the government to resume negotiations and come up with a new minimum wage within a week. While the unions had earlier proposed N615,500 and N494,000, the federal government has expressed commitment to a minimum wage above N60,000.
Claim: Nigeria’s minister of finance, Wale Edun, has proposed N105,000 as the new national minimum wage
Verification
The minister of information and national orientation, Mohammed Idris, reportedly told journalists on Tuesday, June 4, 2024, that the president had directed the minister of finance to come up with the cost implications of a new minimum wage within two days.
“We were all there to look at all issues, and the president has directed the minister of finance to do the numbers and get back to him between today and tomorrow so that we can have figures ready for negotiation with labour. Let me say that the president is determined to go with what the committee has said, and he’s also looking at the welfare of Nigerians,” the minister was quoted to have said.
The minister of finance on Thursday, June 6, submitted new minimum wage options and the projected cost implications to the president at the Aso Villa in Abuja. Multiple credible media outlets reported the development as seen here, here, here, and here. None of the reports stated that the finance minister proposed N105,000 as the new national minimum wage for workers in the country.
Also, the special adviser to the president on information and strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has debunked the claim, describing it as false. Onanuga stated on his verified X handle, “The Honorable Minister of Finance and coordinating minister of the economy, Wale Edun has not proposed N105,000 minimum wage. The contrary story being disseminated is false.”
Verdict: ALL WE KNOW
CDD War Room found no credible media report where it was stated that the finance minister proposed N105,000 as the new national minimum wage. It is also pertinent to note that the minister of finance submitted new minimum wage options and the projected cost implications. As at the time of producing this fact check, it could not ascertained if the figure of N105,000 was part of the options presented.
Leave a Reply