Private Employers Paying Below N70,000 Risk Jail Term—FG

The federal government has declared that any private sector employer paying below N70,000 minimum wage to employees risks a jail term. This was stated by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Kachollom Daju, at the 13th Annual General Meeting of the Employers Association for Private Employment Agencies of Nigeria in Ikeja, Lagos.

Daju, who was represented by John Nyamli, Director of Employment and Wages, emphasized that the minimum wage is now a law.

“The minimum wage is now a law, and as a result, it is a punishable crime for any employer to pay less than N70,000 to any of its workers.” She stressed the necessity of the updated wage to address current economic conditions, asserting that no Nigerian worker, whether in public or private employment, should earn less than this minimum.

“The private employment agencies should make it compulsory in any contract they undertake from their principals that their workers should not earn less than the minimum wage. The least-paid worker in Nigeria should earn N70,000, and I believe that should be after all deductions.

“The minimum wage is a law, and you can be jailed if you fail to implement it. The federal government is committed to ensuring that the least-paid worker goes home with N70,000.”

The President of the Employers Association for Private Employment Agencies of Nigeria, Dr. Olufemi Ogunlowo called for clarity on whether the N70,000 minimum wage applies as net or gross pay, urging the government and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to address any ambiguities in the Act.

He said, “We are already committed to the minimum wage and providing decent jobs for Nigerians while preventing the exploitation of human resources.”

The Chairperson of the NLC, Lagos Chapter, also stated, “The N70,000 isn’t sufficient given today’s economic realities. Once the consequential adjustment is finalized, all private employment agencies must begin paying their workers the N70,000 minimum wage,” Sessi insisted. “The NLC in Lagos State will ensure strict enforcement, and EAPEAN should avoid any conflict with the NLC regarding the minimum wage.”

President Tinubu signed the N70,000 minimum wage bill in July 2024.