The Presidency has refuted claims that the Federal Government is proposing a new minimum wage of N105,000. Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, stated this on Thursday while labeling the reports as false.
These speculations emerged following the presentation of the cost implications for implementing a new national minimum wage to President Bola Tinubu.
The Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, submitted this template alongside the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Atiku Bagudu, at the Presidential Villa.
READ ALSO: Minister Of Finance Presents Minimum Wage Cost To President Tinubu
Edun confirmed the submission and reassured the public that “there is no cause for alarm” when questioned about the figure.
President Tinubu is currently reviewing the proposal, with an official announcement expected soon. However, rumors suggested that the finance minister proposed N105,000 in the new minimum wage template.
Dismissing these rumors, Onanuga clarified on his X account, “The Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Wale Edun, has not proposed the N105,000 minimum wage. The contrary story being disseminated is false.”
READ ALSO: BREAKING: Edun Proposes N105,000 In New Minimum Wage Template
Meanwhile, the Tripartite Committee on National Minimum Wage adjourned its meeting again until Friday due to the unavailability of the cost template.
This marks the second adjournment within 24 hours, as the Federal Government and organized labor initially postponed the talks from Wednesday to Thursday in anticipation of the template.
Grassroots Parrot reported on Tuesday that President Tinubu directed the finance minister to present the cost implications for a new minimum wage within two days during a meeting with the government negotiation team led by Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume.
READ ALSO: FG, Labour Suspend Minimum Wage Talks, Await Presidential Template From Finance Minister
Although Edun submitted the template on Thursday, it was not presented to the Federal Government and Labour representatives, who met for over two hours before adjourning.
A labor leader who spoke anonymously stated, “We have adjourned. Nothing has been presented. We were hearing rumors 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.”
READ ALSO: President Tinubu Orders Cost Analysis for New Minimum Wage
The ongoing talks follow a nationwide strike initiated by Labour on Monday, demanding a higher minimum wage and the reversal of recent electricity tariff hikes.
The strike, which shut down banks, airports, public schools, and courts, was suspended for five days after the Federal Government committed to negotiating a new minimum wage within a week.
To expedite the process, the President instructed government representatives to collaborate with the organized private sector and sub-nationals to establish an affordable wage for Nigerians.
READ ALSO: BREAKING: NLC, TUC Suspend Indefinite Strike
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, confirmed the President’s commitment to the committee’s resolutions, emphasizing his focus on the welfare of Nigerians.
In response, Labour agreed to “relax” the strike for one week to enable productive negotiations. The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) conveyed this decision in a joint communiqué issued after their National Executive Council meeting on Tuesday.