Contrary to news peddling around, the presidency has denied N105,000 minimum wage proposal, described the report as false.
The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the report is fake, as presidency are yet to reveal any amount.
The report came after the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, alongside the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Atiku Bagudu submitted the template of the cost implications of a new minimum wage to president Tinubu at the presidential villa on Thursday.
When Edun was asked, he admitted submitting the template to the president, but didn’t disclose any amount, however, he assured that there won’t be any cause for alarm.
President Tinubu was said to be currently reviewing the proposal, and an official announcement is expected to be given today (Friday).
However, the development triggered speculations that the finance minister proposed N105,000 in the new minimum wage template.
Onanuga, via a post on his X account debunked the claim and tagged it false.
The presidential aide wrote, “The Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Wale Edun, has not proposed N105,000 minimum wage. The contrary story being disseminated is false.”
Recall that president Tinubu had on June 4, asked the finance minister, Wale Edun to present a new wage template within two days.
This emanated from a disagreement between organised labour and the government. While organised labour is asking for a wage of N494,000, the government said it would pay N60,000.
However, following the declaration of an indefinite nationwide strike, which commenced on Monday and was relaxed for one week, the government committed to pay an undisclosed amount, which they assured would be above N60,000.
The Trade Union Congress President, Comrade Festus Osifo, noted that there was no new development or offer from the government yet as at yesterday (Thursday).
“The government is yet to present anything to us. What we have been discussing are principles but no new template yet,” he said.
When asked if there was an offer beyond N60,000, he disclosed that such an offer was not on the table yet.
“The government is yet to present any new offer to us; we are only hoping that by the time we come back tomorrow (that’s today), something concrete will be available,” he said.
“They are only talking about principles and what is needed to work but nothing new yet on the minimum wage.”
Also, one of the leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress, who is a member of the committee was asked about the new development and he stated that though the union was aware that a proposal had been submitted to the President, it is however, becoming jittery as the ultimatum they gave expires on Monday.
Speaking anonymously because the committee deliberation was confidential, the labour leader stated, “We have adjourned. Nothing has been presented. We were hearing rumours that something had been given to the President.
“We are getting jittery now because we have only one week, which expires on Monday. We are getting jittery, but this country is in distress. Looking at the economic situation now, it is a problem. Let us see what they bring up tomorrow (today) by 4:00 pm” he concluded.