Strongly condemning the proposal put forth by former Ekiti State governor Kayode Fayemi for the decentralisation of minimum wage negotiations, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) expressed their disapproval.
Last week, Fayemi suggested that states should engage in separate negotiations with labor unions regarding new minimum wage standards.
In a statement on Monday, Abdul-Yekinn Odunayo, the National Clerk of the Senate for NANS, labeled this suggestion as “anti-workers”.
The ongoing negotiations between the Federal Government and labor unions for a new minimum wage have been at a standstill for months. Labor is holding firm at N250,000, while the government is proposing N62,000.
In an interview last week, Fayemi argued in favor of decentralized minimum wage negotiations, stating that states should assess their financial capabilities considering their individual circumstances.
In response to Fayemi’s remarks, NANS urged the Federal Government to dismiss the former governor’s proposal and instead mandate state governors to implement the new minimum wage once it is ratified into law.
Odunayo criticized Fayemi’s stance as “unnecessary and potentially divisive in pitting governors against the Federal Government.”
“We call upon the Federal Government to disregard former Governor Kayode Fayemi and his decentralized minimum wage negotiation idea with labor,” Odunayo emphasized.
“Furthermore, we urge the federal government to enforce the payment of the new minimum wage by state governors upon its legal enactment, imposing severe penalties on any governor who fails to comply,” he added.
NANS stressed the peril of allowing state governors to unilaterally determine minimum wage rates, emphasizing the potential consequences for Nigeria and the strained relationship between governors and the Federal Government.
Meanwhile, under the leadership of Pedro Obi, NANS has thrown its support behind labor unions’ demands for improved minimum wages.
The student body declared its unwavering commitment to providing steadfast support and encouragement to President Tinubu’s administration in efforts to revive the nation’s former status and create a conducive environment for all Nigerians to prosper.
NANS emphasized that both federal and state governments must make workers’ welfare a top priority and implement policies that enhance the living standards of Nigerians.