Minimum Wage Bill Awaits President Tinubu’s Assent

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is set to receive a clean copy of the newly passed minimum wage bill for his assent following an expedited process by the National Assembly. Both the Senate and House of Representatives conducted accelerated hearings on the bill, completing its three readings and passing it with unanimous voice votes.

The bill proposes an increase in the national minimum wage to N70,000 and mandates a review every three years, reducing the previous review period from five years. This change reflects President Tinubu’s commitment to more frequent evaluations of wage standards, a promise made during his discussions with organized labor leaders.

During the plenary sessions, Majority Leaders Opeyemi Bamidele and Julius Ihonvbere moved motions to suspend relevant rules to expedite the bill’s consideration, which were seconded by House Minority Whip Hon. Ali Isa JC. The motions were carried unanimously by members of both chambers.

Senator Bamidele, who led the debate, highlighted the bill’s intent to amend the National Minimum Wage Act of 2019, emphasizing the importance of reducing the review interval to align with current economic conditions. The provision for more frequent reviews aims to better address inflation and cost-of-living changes.

Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno, the Majority Whip, supported the motion and praised the bill’s provisions for improving wage adjustments. No opposition was voiced during the bill's consideration by the Committee of the Whole.

With the bill passed, it now awaits President Tinubu’s formal assent to become law. The quick passage underscores a collaborative effort between the Executive and Legislature to address wage concerns in a timely manner.