A debate among Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) has arisen over whether the new National Minimum Wage agreement between the federal government and organized labor should bind state governments. Some lawyers argue that states should negotiate separately based on their financial capacities, reflecting Nigeria’s federal structure.
Prof. Mike Ozekhome (SAN) and others argue that while the National Assembly has the power to set a national minimum wage, states have traditionally set their own wages. In contrast, human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) and others maintain that the National Assembly’s mandate to legislate on national minimum wage is binding on all states.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) have criticized the governors’ claim that most states cannot pay a minimum wage of N60,000, describing it as an act of bad faith.
The NLC argues that with increased allocations from the Federation Account, states can afford higher wages if they reduce governance costs and corruption.
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