Nigerians are up in arms over the federal government’s negotiating committee agreeing to the Nigeria Governor’s Forum’s recommended minimum wage of 57,000 Naira.
However, Professor Vitalis Orikaeze Ajumbe has added fuel to the fire, stating that the amount is unfeasible and many state governors lack the financial means to pay it, alleging that the forum was coerced into accepting the exorbitant figure.
Professor Vitalis Orikaeze Ajumbe, a prominent figure in Nigerian politics, shared his forthright views on the nation’s challenges during a meeting with reporters at his Owerri home. Ajumbe’s distinguished career includes chairing the Imo State Board of Internally Generated Revenue and Pension, the Pension Rectification Committee, and serving as Commissioner for Information and Strategy.
According to him “the 57,000 Naira minimum wage proposed by the Nigeria Governor’s Forum is unrealistic. I think they gave the approval under duress, the present 30,000 Naira minimum wage, how many States in the Federation are paying it ? The payment is not visible nor possible, where will they get the money to pay the 57,000 =? It will definitely pitch the State Governments against the civil servants. It will generate a lots of problems in the States.
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“How do you expect States like Yobe, Kebbi, Zamfara, and even Imo to pay the 57,000 = Naira minimum wage ? Definitely, it will generate conflicts between the civil servants and their host governors. It will also led to reduction in workforce. Many civil and public servants may be forced into early retirement. It will definitely generate hyper inflation because prizes of goods will be increased and landlords may equally increase their rents.
” I foresee a situation were many people maybe forced to relocate into rural areas, because they can not afford to pay for the services in the town.Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC asking for above 100,000= is totally unfair to Nigeria as a nation, nobody can pay that.
” It will definitely led to hyper inflations, as ordinary people like Keke drivers can not afford to buy a cup of garri. Even the Journalists will be worst hit as many of them depends on public relations from their news sources. The labour leaders that are asking for over 100,000= Naira are they paying their drivers and domestic staffs well enough ?
“I want the Labour leaders to come out boldly and tell Nigerians they are paying their drivers and domestic staffs upto 57,000 = per month. Certainly, when you say minimum wage every body starting from the Federal Government to the State Government to public and private sectors must abide by the law.
“The implication is that even the gateman of the NLC President will earn the minimum wage. The minimum wage should not be for only the State and Federal Government. The private sectors and multinational organizations will embark on massive retrenchment of workers so as to meet up profitability.
“Thus, most small and medium scale companies will turn into family businesses because they cannot afford to pay. Many financial houses like banks, insurance and stock brokers may resort to contract and casualty employments.
He noted that if the economy is on shaky ground if the minimum wage issue isn’t resolved swiftly, with the potential consequences of inaction ranging from widespread poverty to economic stagnation. He said tt’s puzzling that the NLC didn’t challenge the extravagant purchase of bulletproof SUVs for lawmakers, a brazen display of financial recklessness and misguided priorities that has sparked outrage and disbelief.
“When the former Minister of Humanitarian Services was accused of whooping financial misappropriation, what did NLC did ? When NNPC was accused of financial recklessness and gross embezzlement, did NLC said anything ? Emphatically, No ! It’s a pity that Labour Union in Nigeria is only interested in selfish agendas instead of agendas beneficiary to Nigerians.
Ajumbe exhorted Nigerians to remain calm and confident in the Tinubu government’s ability to deliver, emphasizing that meaningful progress requires time and perseverance. He cited the Igbo people’s experiences during the civil war, where they faced immense economic challenges, yet have since demonstrated remarkable resilience and growth, outperforming many other ethnic nationalities, with the exceptions of Lagos and Abuja.
