*Finance Minister Reportedly Submits N105,000 Proposal To Tinubu

*Presidency Disowns Alleged Proposal

*Akume: ‘I Can’t Afford To Pay My Four Drivers 100k Per Month’

*Labour Not Aware Of Any Proposal, Says Ajaero

THERE is confusion on Thursday, June 6, over the exact minimum wage proposal and the estimated cost implications of implementing such submitted by Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, earlier in the day, to President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. 

     While some government officials knowledgeable on the matter reportedly indicated that Edun submitted a proposal of N105,000 to the President as the new minimum wage, the Presidency has denied such wage offer.

     The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, said Edun has not proposed N105,000 minimum wage, insisting “the contrary story being disseminated is false.”

Meanwhile, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, lamented: “I can’t afford to pay my four drivers N100,000 per month,” in obvious reference to the alleged proposal.

On its part, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), on Thursday, lamented that despite government’s assurances on its commitment to ensuring the presentation of a new minimum wage ‘higher than N60,000, it has failed to do so.

    NLC, in a video posted on its official X handle, noted that as of the time of making the post , nothing new had been offered as the new minimum wage, as the minister was yet to prepare a new template as directed by Tinubu.

     It stated: “Update: One Week Ultimatum. They have not presented any different thing yet. FG show workings ooo! no be to dey yarn cho! cho! cho! One week is at the corner already. #We DEMAND A LIVING WAGE NOW!”

    Indeed, NLC President, Mr. Joe Ajaero, said Labour was not aware of any N105,000 FG minimum wage proposal, either officially or unofficially.

    Recall that on Tuesday, June 4, Tinubu asked Edun to present a new wage template within two days. Government had promised to present above the N60, 000 it earlier offered as the new minimum wage, as against Labour’s demand of N494,000, and the President urged Edun to come up with a template withing two days to firm up an agreement with the organised Labour, leading to the suspension or relaxation of its indefinite strike on the second day, Tuesday, June 4.

   Indeed, the Finance minister, accompanied by the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu, and his Information counterpart, Muhammed Idris, submitted the cost implementation of a new minimum wage to Tinubu in his office at the Presidential Villa later on Thursday, June 6.

     After meeting with the President, Edun told State House Correspondents that there was no cause for alarm.

    But President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Mr. Festus Osifo, said there was no new development or offer from the government as at early on Thursday, adding: “The government is yet to present anything to us. What we have been discussing are principles but no new template yet.

     “The government is yet to present any new offer to us; we are only hoping that by the time we come back tomorrow, something concrete will be available.

     “They are only talking about principles and what is needed to work, but nothing new yet on the minimum wage.”