News
Minimum wage: FG targets N62,000, govs want N57,000
The Federal Government may be on a collision course with governors, and the private sector for agreeing to pay a minimum wage higher than N60,000.
According to findings by Saturday PUNCH, while the Federal Government may be ready to accept N65,000 as the new minimum wage, governors and the organised private sector were against paying as high as N60,000. They insisted that any figure above N57,000 may not be sustainable.
The major argument by the governors, according to insiders, is that the states would be left with nothing for developmental projects if they accepted to pay a minimum wage above N57,000, as they would have to pay a large chunk of their resources as wages to workers.
Negotiation not over
However, the negotiation for a new minimum wage is far from over as Organised Labour and the Federal Government continue to make offers and counter-offers.
Organised Labour, comprising of the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress, had again rejected the offer of the Federal Government to pay N60,000 as a new minimum wage for workers.
The Organised Labour also shifted ground from its N497,000 stance last week to N494,000.
A prominent member of the Tripartite Committee for the negotiation of a new minimum wage for Nigerian workers had told The PUNCH that the Federal Government and Organised Private Sector side of the talks proposed a N60,000 monthly minimum wage on Tuesday, as against the N57,000 they proposed last week when the committee last met.
The government and the OPS had initially proposed N48,000 and N54,000 last week, which were also rejected by Organised Labour.
Meetings
The organised labour had presented N615,000 as the new minimum wage but saw reasons to drop their demand to N497,000 last week, and then to N494,000 on Tuesday.
The last meeting of the committee was, however, deadlocked as talks ended without an agreement on what to pay as the new minimum wage.
The labour unions said the current minimum wage of N30,000 could no longer cater to the well-being of an average Nigerian worker, lamenting that not all governors were paying the current wage award, which expired in April 2024, five years after the Minimum Wage Act of 2019 was signed by former President Muhammadu Buhari.
FG’s proposal unsubstantial – Ajaero
NLC President, Joe Ajaero, described as ‘unsubstantial’, the fresh proposals by the government. “It is still not substantial compared to what we need to get a family moving,” the labour leader had said of the current N30,000 wage paid to workers in the country.
“The economy of the workers is totally destroyed. In fact, the workers don’t have any economy. I think there are two economies in the country— the economy of the bourgeoisie and the economy of the workers. I think we have to harmonise this so that we can have a meeting point,” Ajaero had said.
Strike
For failing to meet their demands, the unions embarked on a nationwide strike on Monday.
Although the strike was short-lived, it grounded economic activities in the country.
The strike, which commenced on Monday, was called to protest the failure of the Federal Government to approve a new minimum wage by May 31, as well as its failure to reverse the hike in electricity tariff.
The PUNCH reported that after a six-hour meeting with the leadership of Organised Labour in Abuja on Monday night, the Federal Government expressed the commitment of President Bola Tinubu to raising the N60,000 offered as the minimum wage.
The agreement stated, “The President of Nigeria, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, is committed to establishing a National Minimum Wage higher than N60,000; and the Tripartite Committee will convene daily for the next week to finalise an agreeable National Minimum Wage.”
Organised Labour also agreed to “immediately hold meetings of its organs to consider this new offer, and no worker would face victimisation as a consequence of participating in the industrial action.”
These resolutions were signed on behalf of the Federal Government by Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris; and Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha.
‘Why governors can’t pay N65,000 minimum wage’
Governors, however, accused the Federal Government of caving under labour’s pressure without critically looking at the feasibility of paying above N60,000 for states.
A governor from the south, who is a member of the opposition, while speaking with our correspondent under anonymity, lamented how he would use huge amounts to pay less than 200,000 civil servants in the state, which did not constitute more than five per cent of the population.
The anger, according to Saturday PUNCH findings, is however more among players in the Organised Private Sector.
“The FG has literally shaved our heads in our absence. Though we had nominal representations, they were not allowed to come back to us for proper consultation,” said a manufacturer in Lagos who craved anonymity.
Though governors, local governments and Organised Private Sector are against the N60,000, a member of the FG negotiation team said the Federal Government was ready to keep its promise of a figure higher than 60,000.
“Actually, FG’s position is that we can pay as much as N65,000, because the President believed in a quick and amicable solution,” the member told our correspondent on the condition of anonymity.
Also, documents seen by our correspondent with one of the governors who is a member of the negotiation team show the precarious financial status of the states and their inability to pay anything above the N57,000 they proposed alongside the private sector.
One of the documents which was released by the secretariat of the Nigeria Governor’s Forum and titled, ‘Comparative Analysis of States Gross Allocation Between Subsidy and Non-Subsidy Regimes (January – December 2023)’, showed the gross income received by states from the Federation Account.
A table in the document shows the States Gross Allocations, including revenues from Statutory Allocation, Value Added Tax, Electronic Money Transfer Levy, Exchange Gain, and Augmentations, as of when the subsidy regime was in place, and the non-subsidy regime in 2023.
Many states received more allocation in the second half of the year of the post-subsidy regime compared to when the subsidy regime was in place.
This, according to the NGF, was due to an increase in the 13 per cent derivation in the first half of the year, and a reduction in the 13 per cent derivation in the second half of the year.
As seen on the table, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, and Rivers states, were the only states that received more allocation in the first half of the year when compared to the second half of the year of the non-subsidy regime.
Meanwhile, Abia’s gross allocation before subsidy removal (January to June 2023) was N38.7bn. After subsidy, it increased by 20 per cent to N46.30bn.
Adamawa received N38.380bn before subsidy, and increased by 22 per cent to N46.803bn.
Surprisingly, the gross allocation for Akwa Ibom reduced by 33 per cent to N125bn from N185bn (before subsidy removal).
Anambra’s allocation increased by 15 per cent to N53.603bn. Bauchi’s allocation also increased by N21 per cent to N53.937 bn.
States that saw a reduction were Delta (-26 per cent), Rivers (-12 per cent), Bayelsa (-20 per cent) and Akwa Ibom (-33 per cent).
The rest saw an increase by, at least, 20 per cent, except Edo (four per cent); Ondo (three per cent), and Anambra (15 per cent).
Another document sighted by our correspondent, titled, “Analysis of State FAAC Inflows and State Expenditures Profile” from the NGF secretariat showed that some states were not viable and may not be able to afford the minimum wage proposed by Organised Labour.
According to the table, Abia’s total revenue stood at N94bn. After paying salaries, the state will have a shortfall of over N17bn.
Ekiti, with a total allocation of N79bn, would have a shortfall of over N13bn after clearing a recurrent expenditure of N93bn.
Gombe would have a shortfall of N7.6bn after paying a recurrent expenditure of N82bn from a total revenue of N74bn.
Imo would have a shortfall of over N2.2bn after paying a recurrent expenditure of N97bn from its total revenue of N95bn.
Also, Katsina with a total revenue of N90bn would have a shortfall of N15bn after paying a recurrent expenditure of N106.26bn.
Oyo State would have a shortfall of N2.6bn after paying N152bn as recurrent expenditure from a total allocation of N149.4bn.
Other states with shortfalls include Plateau (N17.01bn); Sokoto (N3.440bn); Yobe (N18.720bn) and Zamfara (N27.369bn).
N60,000 unsustainable – NGF
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum has issued a public disclaimer in reaction to the offer by the FG which they described as “unsustainable”.
The NGF in a statement by its acting Director of Media and Public Affairs, Halimah Ahmed, expressed concerns that if the N60,000 minimum wage was adopted, many states would allocate their entire allocations to salaries, leaving no resources for development projects.
The statement read in part “The Nigeria Governors’ Forum is in agreement that a new minimum wage is due. The forum also sympathises with labour unions in their push for higher wages.
“However, the forum urges all parties to consider the fact that the minimum wage negotiations also involve consequential adjustments across all cadres, including pensioners. The NGF cautions parties in this important discussion to look beyond just signing a document for the sake of it; any agreement to be signed should be sustainable and realistic.”
The NGF urged all parties involved in the negotiation process, particularly the labor unions, to take into account all socioeconomic factors, and reach a sustainable agreement.
Committee close to agreeing on new wage – Uzodinma
Meanwhile, the Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma, said the Tripartite Committee on the minimum wage was close to agreeing on a new national minimum wage.
He disclosed this after emerging from the meeting of the committee on Friday which lasted for over 12 hours.
“We had a very fruitful deliberation and of course you know it is a technical subcommittee of a committee.
“And at the level of the committee, we have reached near consensus, and by the time we go to the plenary, we will have a complete agreement and maybe from there, the media can start their job. As it is now, I think we are better off than we were,” Uzodimma said.
He added that the committee had just finished with their various unit meetings and had now proceeded to the plenary where the committee was expected to harmonise their decisions and hopefully come up with a figure.
The Eastern Bar Forum (EBF), the umbrella body of legal practitioners from Nigeria’s old Eastern Region, has commended the administration of Governor Hope Uzodimma after inspecting major infrastructure projects across Imo State, describing the state’s transformation as “real, visible and verifiable.”
The endorsement followed an extensive tour of key government projects during the Forum’s 2026 Quarterly Meeting and Convention in Owerri, where members unanimously passed a vote of confidence in the governor’s leadership and development agenda.
The convention attracted senior advocates, judges, jurists and legal practitioners from Imo, Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, Rivers, Bayelsa, Cross River and Akwa Ibom states.
The inspection team, led by EBF Governor, Barr. D.O. Nosike, was received by the Imo State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr. Paul Obinatu. Accompanied by officials from the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure Development, the delegation visited several landmark projects executed by the Uzodimma administration.
Among the projects inspected were the Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu International Convention Centre, the Control Post Flyover, reconstructed roads within Owerri Municipality, the Orashi Power Distribution Company, the refurbished Concord Hotel and the Imo Digital City Hub.
Speaking after the tour, members of the Forum expressed satisfaction with the quality, scale and strategic importance of the projects, describing them as clear evidence of a government committed to transforming Imo into a hub for investment, commerce and innovation.
According to the Forum, the inspection disproved claims that the administration’s achievements existed only in media reports, noting that the infrastructure they observed reflected deliberate planning, effective execution and prudent governance.
The legal body praised Governor Uzodimma for consistently pursuing developmental projects capable of driving economic growth and improving residents’ quality of life.
It identified the Orashi Power Distribution Company as a major investment with the potential to enhance electricity supply and support industrial growth across the state.
The Forum also highlighted the Imo Digital City Hub as one of the administration’s flagship legacy projects, commending its efforts to equip young people with skills in software development, robotics, website design, computer engineering, digital entrepreneurship and other technology-related fields.
The delegation further applauded the administration for the construction and rehabilitation of major road networks, including the Owerri-Orlu Expressway, Owerri-Onitsha Road, Owerri-Okigwe Road, Owerri-Mbaise Road, Owerri-Port Harcourt Road, as well as several internal roads across the state.
Members observed that by investing in both physical infrastructure and human capital development, the Uzodimma administration was laying a solid foundation for sustainable economic growth.
Consequently, the Forum unanimously adopted a vote of confidence in Governor Uzodimma, applauding his leadership, developmental vision and commitment to rebuilding Imo State.
The Eastern Bar Forum explained that its periodic inspection of government projects is part of its institutional responsibility to independently assess governance and development efforts across the states of the old Eastern Region.
The convention concluded in Owerri on Sunday with discussions on legal practice, constitutional issues, justice sector reforms and national development, with delegates maintaining that their findings in Imo underscored the value of transparent governance backed by measurable results.
Former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, on Monday pleaded not guilty to a six-count charge bordering on alleged certificate forgery, false declaration and money laundering before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Nnaji was arraigned by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik over allegations that he submitted forged academic credentials, including a University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) degree certificate and a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate during his ministerial screening in 2023.
The anti-graft agency also accused the former minister of fraudulently receiving about ₦29.5 million in salaries and emoluments, alongside money laundering-related offences.
After taking his plea, Nnaji’s counsel, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Ogwu Onoja, applied for bail. The prosecution did not oppose the application, leaving the decision to the court.
Justice Abdulmalik subsequently granted Nnaji bail in the sum of ₦20 million with one surety in like sum.
The court ruled that the surety must be a federal civil servant not below Grade Level 15 with a verifiable residence of at least four years. The surety is also required to provide evidence of employment, including an appointment letter and salary slips for the last three months, subject to verification by the relevant authority.
The judge further directed Nnaji to surrender his international passport and all other travel documents pending the determination of the case.
The matter was adjourned until September 21, 2026, for the commencement of trial.
Nnaji’s prosecution follows his arrest by the ICPC on July 1 after the execution of a bench warrant issued by the Federal High Court. The commission alleged that he repeatedly failed to honour invitations during its investigation into the alleged forgery of his academic credentials.
The former minister resigned from office in October 2025 after the allegations became public. However, he has consistently maintained his innocence, insisting that his resignation was not an admission of guilt but a step taken to allow due process to take its course.
Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has announced legal action against individuals circulating what he described as false and defamatory reports surrounding the death of a nurse allegedly linked to his residence.
Speaking on Sunday while inspecting the Ebonyi section of the Calabar–Ebonyi–Benue–Nasarawa–Abuja Super Highway, Umahi said he had instructed his legal team to prosecute those responsible for spreading the claims.
Social media reports had alleged secrecy surrounding the death of nurse Mary Habila inside the minister’s compound in Ebonyi State.
Rejecting the allegations, Umahi explained that the deceased’s family became alarmed after she failed to respond to calls, forced open her room, and immediately sought medical assistance.
“The family broke the girl’s door, called doctors from DUFUTH, who took her to the hospital and did everything possible to revive her, but she could not be saved,” he said.
According to the minister, the incident was promptly reported to the police, making allegations of a cover-up baseless.
“The family reported the matter to the police, so where is the secrecy?” he asked.
Umahi disclosed that the deceased’s parents, who are currently in Ebonyi State, would address journalists and also institute legal action against those spreading what he described as false information.
He added that he had directed that an autopsy be conducted, subject to the approval of the deceased’s parents.
Condemning what he described as the exploitation of a tragic death for online content, Umahi warned against spreading unverified information.
“You don’t create content with someone’s death,” he said.
The minister described the late Mary Habila as a dedicated nurse at the David Umahi Federal University Teaching Hospital, noting that she had attended to him professionally for about three years.
Umahi also dismissed reports linking him to an alleged kidnap suspect said to have been recruited into the Ebonyi security outfit, Ebubeagu.
“Can those making these allegations produce a photograph showing me with the person?” he asked.
He maintained that he neither knew the suspect nor could reasonably be expected to know everyone recruited into the security outfit during his tenure as governor of Ebonyi State.
Reaffirming his opposition to kidnapping, Umahi said the crime deserves severe punishment and insisted the allegations against him were politically motivated. He vowed to continue defending his reputation through legal means.
Former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, on Monday appeared before the Federal High Court in Abuja to answer charges of alleged certificate forgery and false declaration brought against him by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
Nnaji arrived at the court ahead of proceedings before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, where he was scheduled to be arraigned on allegations bordering on forgery and the submission of false information during his ministerial appointment process.
The ICPC accused the former minister of presenting allegedly forged academic credentials and making false declarations in documents submitted to relevant public authorities while seeking nomination and screening for ministerial office in 2023.
The charges followed the conclusion of an investigation launched after a petition questioned the authenticity of the certificates reportedly presented by Nnaji during his nomination and confirmation.
Before filing the charges, the anti-graft agency had obtained a 14-day remand order against the former minister in June, alleging that he repeatedly failed to honour several invitations for questioning despite multiple notices.
Nnaji subsequently challenged the remand order, seeking to have it set aside, but the commission proceeded with criminal prosecution after completing its investigation.
The allegations attracted national attention following an investigative report published in October 2025, which claimed that the former minister forged the academic certificates allegedly used to secure his appointment.
Despite the accusations, Nnaji has consistently denied any wrongdoing and is expected to enter his plea as the case begins before the Federal High Court.
Shettima’s confirmation for the 2027 presidential election has reopened debate over the APC’s Muslim-Muslim ticket, with political parties and stakeholders divided over whether religion or competence should shape leadership choices.
The APC’s decision ended months of speculation that Tinubu could replace Shettima with a Northern Christian, while reviving arguments that dominated the build-up to the 2023 election.
Although critics had argued that the same-faith ticket undermined Nigeria’s religious balance, Tinubu and Shettima won the presidency, and the ruling party has now opted to retain the combination for a second term.
While some opposition parties, including the All Progressives Grand Alliance and the Young Progressives Party, have downplayed concerns over the same-faith ticket, others have warned that religious balance remains an important factor in Nigeria’s politics.
The renewed debate followed the APC’s confirmation on Friday that Tinubu would contest the 2027 election with Shettima, a move that effectively ended months of speculation that the President could pick a Northern Christian as his running mate.
Ahead of the announcement, several names had been linked to the position, including the Minister of Defence, Gen Christopher Musa (retd.); the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Most Rev Hassan Kukah; and former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara.
The APC’s decision has revived arguments that dominated the 2023 election after Tinubu, a Muslim from the South-West, selected Shettima, also a Muslim from the North-East, as his running mate.
Critics had argued that the ticket broke with Nigeria’s tradition of balancing presidential tickets along religious lines to reflect the country’s diversity. However, Tinubu and Shettima went on to win the election, defeating candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar; the Labour Party, Peter Obi; and the New Nigeria Peoples Party, Rabiu Kwankwaso.
Reacting to the development, APGA said the focus of elections should be on leadership capacity rather than religion.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Ejimofor Opara, said Nigeria must move beyond identity politics and judge leaders by their performance.
“Competence should remain the defining issue in 2027, not whether candidates are Muslims or Christians,” he said.
The Young Progressives Party also argued that character, competence and integrity should outweigh religious or ethnic considerations in leadership selection.
Its spokesman, Wale Egbeola-Martins, said Nigeria’s major challenge had been poor leadership rather than the religious identities of those in power.
“The real challenge confronting our nation since the return to democratic rule has not been the ethnic or religious identity of those in power, but the persistent deficit of purposeful and accountable leadership,” he said.
The party said it would continue to support politics based on merit, service and national interest rather than religious or ethnic considerations.
APC defends retention
Meanwhile, the APC has defended its decision to retain Shettima, insisting that the choice was based on national interest and a careful assessment of political realities.
The party’s Director of Publicity, Bala Ibrahim, said the Muslim-Muslim ticket had not produced the religious tensions predicted by critics ahead of the 2023 election.
“The decision was reached after a careful assessment of the situation. The party is conscious of religious sensitivities but is also mindful of the broader interests of Nigerians,” he said.
Ibrahim dismissed fears that the ticket could fuel religious division, arguing that the administration had promoted interfaith harmony since assuming office.
The National Chairman of the Action Democratic Party, Yabagi Yusuf, and a leader of the Coalition of United Political Parties, Mark Adebayo, also argued that issues such as security, the economy and governance performance would dominate the 2027 campaign rather than religious identity.
Yusuf said the APC’s decision was largely influenced by electoral considerations, particularly the need to secure support across key voting blocs.
He argued that while religious considerations remain part of political discussions, parties ultimately consider the electoral strength and acceptability of their candidates when making strategic decisions.
Yusuf said the APC’s decision was driven by electoral calculations rather than religious considerations.
According to him, political parties are primarily concerned with assembling tickets capable of attracting the broadest electoral support.
“It’s politics. They must have done their calculations and concluded that this is their best chance of winning. In the end, elections are about where the votes are,” he said.
The immediate past National Publicity Secretary of the Coalition of United Political Parties, Mark Adebayo, also argued that the Muslim-Muslim ticket is unlikely to generate the level of controversy it did in 2023.
He said issues such as security, the economy and governance would dominate the 2027 campaign.
The Ijaw Youths Council also dismissed religious identity as the basis for evaluating political leaders.
The President of IYC Worldwide, Jonathan Lokpobiri, said Nigerians should focus on competence and good governance rather than the faith of candidates.
“What we need is a competent, focused and compassionate leader who can take difficult decisions and improve the lives of Nigerians. Religion should not be the yardstick for leadership,” he said.
Groups oppose ticket
However, the Coalition of South East Youth Leaders criticised the APC’s decision, describing the retention of the Muslim-Muslim ticket as insensitive to Nigeria’s religious diversity.
Its President-General, Goodluck Ibem, said overlooking the opportunity to nominate a Northern Christian could deepen feelings of exclusion among many Nigerians.
“In a nation as religiously and culturally diverse as ours, leadership must not only be fair but must also be seen to be fair,” he said, urging the APC to embrace greater inclusiveness.
Similarly, the South-South Youths Initiative rejected Shettima’s renomination.
Its National President, Imeabe Oscar, argued that the APC’s decision was politically motivated and alleged that the party retained the Vice President largely for electoral advantage in Northern Nigeria.
‘Christians feel excluded’
The National President of the Middle Belt Forum, Dr Pogu Bitrus, criticised the APC’s decision, describing the retention of the Muslim-Muslim ticket as a slight on Christian Nigerians.
“To retain a Muslim-Muslim ticket after 2023 sends the wrong signal in a country as religiously diverse as Nigeria,” he said, urging the APC to reconsider its decision in the interest of national unity.
The Chairman of the Centre for Accountability and Open Leadership, Debo Adeniran, however, said fears expressed over the Muslim-Muslim ticket before the 2023 election had not materialised.
“The fears widely expressed in 2022 did not happen. The President and the Vice President have worked together, and that relationship appears to have remained stable,” he said.
Adeniran added that Shettima’s loyalty and working relationship with Tinubu may have influenced the President’s decision to retain him.
APC backs Shettima
Stakeholders of the APC in Abia State also defended the President’s decision.
The state chairman of the party, Chijioke Chukwu, said there was no justification for replacing Shettima, describing the President and Vice President as a team that had worked harmoniously since assuming office.
“It’s unreasonable to drop him (Shettima). Tinubu is a Muslim from the south and has been supporting Christians. Going for his second tenure, it is proper for the President to pick from the North. They have collaborated well without any problems between the Vice President and the President. There is no reason for a new VP. To us, this is a wonderful decision,” he said.
Similarly, Ohanaeze chieftain Justice Rowland Ajuzieogu said Tinubu was constitutionally entitled to choose his running mate, adding that Shettima had remained loyal throughout the administration.
“Tinubu looks at loyalty. Shetima is loyal.”
Industrialist and politician Sam Ohuabunwa also backed the decision, saying the Tinubu-Shettima ticket had already secured victory in 2023 and there was no compelling reason to alter it.
“Since Tinubu made the choice, heaven did not fall. He can do it again, and I believe that is the right thing to do.”
Afenifere faults decision
A faction of Afenifere led by Oba Olaitan Oladapo, however, faulted the renomination of Shettima.
Its National Publicity Secretary, Justice Faloye, said retaining another Muslim-Muslim ticket failed to reflect fairness, religious balance and inclusiveness in a multi-faith country.
Speaking on Tinubu’s choice of Shettima, Faloye said “President Tinubu has continued to show disregard for federal character and religious balance and fairness.
“Most important is that we can expect more of the same if he chooses to coronate himself in 2027. May God save Nigeria sociopolitically and economically from this regime.”
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