The new minimum wage discussions between the Federal Government and Organised Labour are set to conclude today, with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) leaders awaiting President Bola Tinubu’s decision on their N250,000 proposal.

Labour leaders had stipulated Monday as the deadline for finalizing the new minimum wage talks. Last Friday, the Tripartite Committee on National Minimum Wage concluded its meetings, with the Federal Government and the Organized Private Sector agreeing on N62,000, while Labour insisted on N250,000. However, the Nigeria Governors Forum declared that any minimum wage above N60,000 would be unsustainable.

Labour leaders, speaking on condition of anonymity, mentioned that they are waiting for the President’s decision on the proposals presented by the tripartite committee. NLC President Joe Ajaero and other senior union officials have traveled to Geneva, Switzerland, to participate in a labour conference organized by the International Labour Organisation (ILO).

The labour leaders plan to hold their National Executive Council (NEC) meeting to decide on the next steps, including the possibility of a strike, upon their return from Geneva and based on the President’s feedback.

“We have submitted the report to the President and are awaiting his decision, which is crucial. Many of us are currently en route to Geneva for the ILO conference. Before holding a NEC meeting, we must return from Geneva. We also aim to avoid any actions that might be perceived as inciting citizens against the government, considering the government’s control of the military,” a top NLC official said.

Another NLC source noted, “We have sent our report to the committee and are expecting the President to act on it. We will hold a NEC meeting regarding the ultimatum after our return from Geneva. For now, we are patiently waiting for the President’s decision.”

Organised Labour, comprising the NLC and TUC, staged a two-day nationwide strike last Monday and Tuesday, demanding a new minimum wage for workers and the reversal of the electricity tariff hike. The labour leadership suspended the strike for five days after signing a commitment with the Federal Government to resume negotiations and agree on a new minimum wage within a week.

The suspension followed a six-hour meeting between labour leaders and the National Assembly in Abuja on Monday night. To expedite the discussions, President Tinubu directed Finance Minister Wale Edun to present the cost implications for a new minimum wage within two days.

On Thursday, the finance minister presented the cost implications of a new national minimum wage to President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, along with the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Atiku Bagudu. The President is currently reviewing the proposal and is expected to make an official announcement soon.