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Labour Excited As Tinubu Signs N70,000 Minimum Wage Bill

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The organised labour on Monday expressed its excitement and demanded speedy implementation as President Bola Tinubu signed into law the new National Minimum Wage Act.

“We are happy and urge government to sustain the same momentum in the calculation of consequential adjustments, payment of the new minimum wage and arrears,” the Head of Public Affairs of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Benson Upah, told The PUNCH.

Similarly, the Deputy Vice President of the Trade Union Congress, Tommy Etim, said, “It is a welcome development and we expect the immediate implementation by the federal, state government and the organised private sector.”

Tinubu signed the new law at 02 pm at the Council Chamber of the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja

The brief ceremony was witnessed by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, and the House Leader, Prof. Julius Ihonvberem, who represented the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas.

The signing of the law came nearly two weeks after President Tinubu and the organised labour unions—comprising the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria—agreed on N70,000 as the new minimum wage.

On July 18, the Federal Government, organised labour and the private sector concluded months-long negotiations on the minimum wage when Tinubu haggled down labour’s N250,000/month demand to N70,000/month.

Akpabio, who addressed State House Correspondents after the signing ceremony, said, “I’m ecstatic. I’m excited about the Nigerian worker and the national minimum wage amendment, which applies to the whole nation, the Federal Government, the states, the local governments, the private sector, and even individual employers.

“So, I think this is a great day for the workers in the country. We are not only doubling the minimum wage, but we have also added something on top. Initially, it was N30,000; now, it is N70,000.”

He emphasised that with the N70,000 new minimum wage, “no Nigerian worker will offer services and be paid anything less than N70,000 from today.

“That is the implication of this Act. It applies all over the nation. And we are excited that this is happening at a time like this through President Bola Tinubu.

“Like I said, this is not the maximum. Any employer with a capacity can pay as much as you want.

“And you’ve seen what we are doing in the National Assembly. When it came, the entire National Assembly moved and passed the bill in one day out of excitement. We felt that this was not something we could delay.”

The Senate President also disclosed that the President will on Wednesday sign the 2024 budget amendment bill into law.

“We have gone very far with it. And I expect that it will be signed by Wednesday,” Akpabio responded when asked about the reviewed Act meant to finance the new minimum wage.

On July 15, the Federal Executive Council mandated the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning to prepare a bill to amend the 2024 Budget.

A week later, Tinubu wrote the Senate requesting it to amend the 2024 Appropriation Act and the 2023 Finance Act by increasing the budget by ₦6.2tn.

Tinubu’s letter was addressed to the Senate President and read at plenary.

The President said the move was under Section 58 (2) of the Constitution.

The Senate approved the ₦6.2tn amendment to the 2024 Appropriation Act, raising the year’s national budget from ₦28.7tn to ₦35.055tn.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government allayed fears of non-compliance with the new minimum wage, saying the extensive negotiations and consensus-building undertaken from early February to July meant all the relevant stakeholders were involved.

The Minister of State for Labour, Mrs. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, affirmed this when she briefed journalists after Monday’s Federal Executive Council meeting.

“What should a Labour Minister do when people don’t pay? The most important thing is that this minimum wage has been passed and that all Nigerians were involved—all the stakeholders, the governors, the representatives of the local government, which is ARGON and of course, the organised private sector and organised labour and the government itself.

“Conversations were held and it passed through the process, and it has become a law and I believe that we are responsible Nigerians and we want to promise Nigerians that we’re going to do that.

“When you have a strong leader, who has the goodwill of the people he governs and there is cooperation, I believe that everybody will comply with what is agreed upon.”

Onyejeocha also stated that the FG would uphold its promise to backdate the payment of the adjusted wages from May 2024.

“When I did the May broadcast about the payment schedule, whether we are going to start on May 1.

“I think it is being considered because what I read was exactly what was in agreement of October 2, 2023, and I believe that those things are still being considered, but the most important thing is that the minimum wage has been signed,” she said.

 

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Boko Haram Demands $300,000 Ransom For Abducted Borno Ex-LG Chair, Another Victim

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A new video has emerged showing two men reportedly kidnapped by Boko Haram insurgents in Borno State, pleading for assistance to secure their release.

 

One of the captives, former Biu Local Government Area Chairman Hassan Biu Miringa, revealed that their abductors are demanding a $300,000 ransom.

 

Miringa said he and another individual were taken in December 2025 and have remained in the custody of the militants.

 

In the video shared by Zagazola Makama, Miringa introduced himself, saying: “I am Hassan Biu Miringa, former Chairman of Biu Local Government from 2020 to 2022. Four years after my tenure, we were kidnapped by the soldiers of Khilafa about two weeks ago. Alhamdulillah, we are still alive, but we urgently need help to save our lives.”

 

He added that negotiations with the kidnappers had been underway, with some preliminary agreements reportedly reached.

 

“We have engaged them on four separate occasions and reached an understanding. We appeal to our leaders, especially Borno State Deputy Governor Alhaji Usman Umar Kadafur, the National Assembly representative for Biu, Kwaya, and Shani Hon. Betera Aliyu, as well as our community leaders, to temper justice with mercy and assist us. We are their children and have been working together,” Miringa said.

 

He confirmed the ransom demand, explaining that each captive is expected to pay $150,000, totaling $300,000 for their freedom, and pleaded for urgent intervention to reunite with their families.

 

The video highlights ongoing concerns over kidnappings and insecurity in southern Borno State, which have persisted despite government efforts to curb insurgent activity in the region.

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How Rivers Women Spread Wrappers For Wike’s Motorcade During Port Harcourt Visit

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The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, on Saturday visited Port Harcourt City Local Government as part of his “thank you” visit across Rivers State.

 

Upon his arrival, a group of women displayed a symbolic gesture of loyalty by spreading their wrappers on the ground for his motorcade.

 

The women and supporters of the Minister were in a jubilant mode as Wike drove on the wrappers.

 

Wike has been going around local governments in the state to appreciate them for their support while reeling out moves ahead of the 2027 general elections.

 

In the course of his visits, the Minister had fired several salvos at political actors in the state, warning that their sudden support for President Bola Tinubu won’t secure them any ticket in 2027.

 

Wike also renewed rivalry with Governor Sim Fubara over the leadership control of the political space in the state.

 

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Impeachment Proceedings Against Fubara, Deputy Still Active – Rivers Assembly

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The Rivers State House of Assembly has officially reaffirmed that the impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, are ongoing and have not been suspended.

 

The Assembly said the process is still ongoing and is being conducted strictly in line with constitutional provisions.

 

This was contained in a statement issued on Friday by the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Petitions and Complaints, Hon. Enemi George.

 

According to the statement, the impeachment process, which began on Thursday, January 8, 2026, remains on course in line with the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

 

The lawmakers disclosed that separate notices of allegations bordering on gross misconduct have been served on both the governor and his deputy in line with Section 188 of the Constitution.

 

“The notices of allegations of gross misconduct against the Governor and the Deputy Governor have been duly forwarded to them by the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Martins Amaewhule, and the House is awaiting their responses,” the statement said.

 

The Assembly maintained that it is constitutionally obligated to act in the interest of the rule of law and ensure that no public office holder acts outside legal boundaries.

 

Reacting to reports suggesting that the impeachment move had been halted, the House accused some individuals and media outlets of deliberately spreading misinformation to mislead the public and stir tension between the legislature and Rivers residents.

 

The lawmakers described such reports as false and insisted they would not succumb to intimidation, threats, or blackmail.

 

“We are aware of renewed attempts by certain persons and media platforms to misinform the public by claiming that the impeachment process has been discontinued. The public should disregard such falsehoods, as the process remains active,” the statement added.

 

The Assembly reaffirmed its commitment to democratic principles and constitutional responsibilities, stressing that it would not be distracted by what it termed “cheap propaganda.”

 

It also appreciated the people of Rivers State for their support and prayers amid the ongoing political developments and extended goodwill to Nigerians committed to the nation’s democratic journey.

 

JomogNews reports that during Thursday’s plenary session, presided over by the Speaker, the Majority Leader, Major Jack, formally read the notice of allegations of gross misconduct against Governor Fubara on the floor of the House.

 

 

 

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