The tripartite committee overseeing the proposal of a new national minimum wage for Nigerian workers has announced a public hearing scheduled for March 7. Chaired by Bukar Aji and inaugurated by Vice President Kashim Shettima, the committee aims to consult with all stakeholders across the country.

Led by Ekpo Nta, Chairman of the National Salaries, Incomes, and Wages Commission (NSIWC), the committee’s mandate is to recommend a realistic and practical minimum wage in consideration of the nation’s economic dynamics.

Public hearings are set to take place simultaneously across the six geo-political zones, starting at 10:00 a.m. Stakeholders including state and local governments, labor unions, employers, civil society groups, and small and medium enterprises are invited to participate.

To streamline the process, stakeholders are encouraged to submit memoranda outlining proposed minimum wage figures, coverage parameters, mechanisms for productivity enhancement, and penalties for non-compliance with the National Minimum Wage Act. Suggestions for future reviews and other relevant recommendations are also welcomed.

Venues for the hearings are designated in various locations, including Banquet Hall, Government House, Yola, Adamawa State for the North-East, Africa House, Government House, Kano for the North-West, and Ibom Hall, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State for the South-South. Details for venues in the North-Central, South-East, and South-West will be announced soon.

Mr. Nta emphasized the importance of stakeholder engagement, urging participants to provide comprehensive input to ensure the effectiveness and fairness of the proposed minimum wage.

Stakeholders are requested to send soft copies of their presentations to specified email addresses for efficient processing.