By Ajibola Falola
President Bola Tinubu is set to convene with state governors at the 142nd National Economic Council (NEC) meeting on Thursday at Aso Rock Villa, Abuja, to discuss the contentious new national minimum wage.
This extraordinary meeting was announced by President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, during a condolence visit to Vice President Kashim Shettima in Kano. Gbajabiamila revealed that President Tinubu will attend the NEC meeting, an unusual move, to engage with governors and other stakeholders before presenting a bill to the National Assembly.
The President’s presence at the meeting underscores the importance of resolving the minimum wage issue, which has been delayed to allow for further consultations with governors and the private sector.
The Tripartite Committee on New National Minimum Wage had earlier proposed a new minimum wage, but the Federal Executive Council stepped down the report to enable President Tinubu to consult further.
The meeting comes as labor leaders and governors are at loggerheads over the proposed minimum wage. Labor leaders are pushing for a higher minimum wage, while governors are expressing concerns about the sustainability of the proposed wage. President Tinubu’s intervention is seen as a move to break the impasse and find a mutually acceptable solution.
The outcome of the NEC meeting is expected to pave the way for the President to present an executive bill to the National Assembly, which will formalize the new minimum wage. The meeting is therefore being watched closely by labor leaders, governors, and other stakeholders, who are eager to see a resolution to the minimum wage impasse.