Governors meet over minimum wage again

Governors of the states of the federation have yet again met in Abuja on Thursday night to continue their deliberation over the new national minimum wage which they have yet to reach an agreement on.

The states had offered to pay N22,500 while the federal government want to pay N24,000 against the N30,000 being demanded by the organized labour.

The meeting presided over by the chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), Governor Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara state at its National Secretariat in Abuja, did not appear to make much progress as Yari said there was nothing new to report.

Many state governors did not show up for the meeting that was a prelude to the National Economic Council (NEC) scheduled to hold on Friday.

In rejecting the N24,000 proposed by the federal government, the NGF had in their last meeting, set up a committee to meet with President Muhammadu Buhari to canvass its position.

ALSO READ: NLC to place governors owing salaries, pensions on ‘watch list’

It was not clear whether the committee was able to convince the president to back the NGF’s position on the minimum wage.

The NEC meeting to be presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo will however focus on the Human Capital Development Programme of the present administration hinged on “investment in our people.”

The meeting is being convened in line with the administration’s Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) for inclusive growth human development nationwide.

Expected at the extended session are all NEC members including state governors and Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).