Tinubu signs N70,000 minimum wage bill into law

President Bola Tinubu has signed the new minimum wage bill into law.

The signing took place in the council chamber of the State House during a pause in the federal executive council (FEC) meeting.

The FEC meeting was temporarily halted to allow the leadership of the national assembly, headed by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, to witness the bill’s signing.

The new minimum wage bill was approved by both the senate and the house of representatives last Tuesday.

The bill swiftly passed through its first (President Bola Tinubu’s request), second (debate on general principles), and third readings — all within an hour — in both legislative chambers.

The new law increases the country’s minimum wage from N30,000 to N70,000 and mandates a review of the minimum wage every three years.

The previous minimum wage of N30,000 was signed into law by former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019.

Before the new minimum wage act was enacted, the federal government and organized labour engaged in a series of discussions.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) had gone on strike, demanding a review of the minimum wage.