General
FG to Inaugurate Minimum Wage Committee Tuesday
By Adedapo Adesanya
The federal government is set to inaugurate a 37-man tripartite committee on national minimum wage for the country on Tuesday.
The planned inauguration of the team follows the approval of President Bola Tinubu, according to a statement on Sunday by Mr Segun Imohiosen for the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr George Akume.
The inauguration is scheduled to be held by noon at the Council Chamber, Presidential Villa, State House, Abuja.
The committee under the chairmanship of the former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mr Bukar Aji, cuts across the federal government, state government, private sector and organised labour.
From the federal government, the members include Mr Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, the Minister of State, Labour and Employment (Representing the Minister of Labour and Employment); Mr Wale Edun, the Minister of Finance & Coordinating Minister of the Economy; Mr Atiku Bagudu, the Minister of Budget Economic Planning; Mrs Yemi Esan, Head of the Civil Service of the Federation; Mr Nnamdi Maurice Mbaeri, Permanent Secretary, GSO. OSGF and Mr Ekpo Nta, Esq, Chairman/CEO, NSIWC – Member/Secretary.
Also from the state government, Mr Mohammed Umar Bago, Governor, Niger State- representative from North Central; Mr Bala Mohammed, Governor Bauchi State- representative from North East; Mr Umar Dikko Radda, Governor Katsina State- representative from North West; Mr Charles Soludo, Governor, Anambra State- representative from the South East; Mr Ademola Adeleke, Governor, Osun State- representative from South West; Mr Otu Bassey Edet, Governor, Cross River State- representative from South West.
From the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA)- Mr Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, Director-General, NECA; Mr Chuma Nwankwo; Mr Thompson Akpabio with also members from the Nigeria Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) include Mr Michael Olawale-Cole, National President; Hon. Mr Ahmed Rabiu, National Vice President and Me Humphrey Ngonadi (NPOM), National Life President.
The members from the National Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME) are Mr Abdulrashid Yerima, President & Chairman of the Council; Mr Theophilus Nnorom Okwuchukwu, Private Sector representative; Mr Muhammed Nura Bello, Zonal Vice President, North West and also from the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) are Mrs Grace Omo-Lamai, Human Resource Director, Nigerian Breweries; Mr Segun Ajayi-Kadir, mni, Director-General, MAN; Mr Ada Chukwudozie, Managing Director, Dozzy Oil and Gas Limited.
From the organised labour, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Mr Joe Ajaero, President, NLC; Mr Emmanuel Ugboaja; Mr Adeyanju Adewale; Mr Ambali Akeem Olatunji; Mr Benjamin Anthony and Mr Theophilius Ndukuba.
Also, members from the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) include Mr Festus Osifo, President, TUC; Mr Tommy Etim Okon, PhD, Deputy President I, TUC; Mr Kayode Surajudeen Alakija, Deputy President II; Mr Jimoh Oyibo, Deputy President. III; Mr Nuhu A. Toro, Secretary-General and Mrs Hafusatu Shuaib, Chairperson Women Committee.
Accordingly, members are advised to be early to process their clearance at the Security Gate and should be seated at the Council Chamber by 11.30 am. In addition, a shuttle bus will be available at the Pilot Gate to convey members to the venue.
In addition, members of the Committee are to contact the Head of the Secretariat, Mr Chiadi Adighiogu, Director (Compensation) in the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission for information.
Nigeria’s minimum wage was last reviewed in 2019 and clamour has increased for a need to do this, especially following the removal of the fuel subsidy last year.
In June 2023, for instance, workers and some labour leaders demanded that the minimum wage be increased from N30,000 to N250,000, adding that the current situation would increase the demand for a salary review. The amount was later adjusted to N200,000 monthly.
After fuel subsidies were removed, the President initially promised to pay a N25,000 wage award to workers to cushion its effect.
However, labour was not comfortable with the amount and it was later agreed at N35,000 for six months which would be from September 2023 to February 2024.
Now, as the date towards the expiration of the short-term wage award, the need to deliberate on a new minimum wage for workers is near.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigeria–China Strategic Partnership (NCSP) recently hosted a high-level delegation from Newryton International Industrial Development Company Limited, a leading Chinese investment and industrial development consortium, to advance discussions on deepening bilateral trade, industrial cooperation, and development financing between both countries.
The Newryton delegation, led by Mr David Chen, Assistant Secretary-General of the China Hainan Investment Council, had earlier engaged with the Nigerian Association of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA). They were accompanied to the NCSP by Mr Joe Onyuike, Vice-Chairman of NACCIMA’s Agriculture and Livestock Trade Group, who conveyed NACCIMA’s support for the delegation’s engagements.
Discussions centered on the establishment of a Nigeria–China Trade and Investment Platform, including a proposed Promotion Centre in China to support Nigerian products, investors, and state governments.
The consortium also presented opportunities within Hainan Province’s Free Trade Port (FTP), which offers preferential policies that Nigerian businesses can leverage to expand exports and attract new investments.
In his address on behalf of Newryton, Mr Pong outlined plans to collaborate with NCSP in accessing FOCAC-supported financing for strategic investments in agriculture, energy, mining, solid minerals processing, and related sectors. The delegation identified aquaculture as a key area of interest and referenced the forthcoming Global Aquaculture Conference in Hainan Province, encouraging Nigerian stakeholders to participate.
They also expressed readiness to strengthen cooperation in vocational training and employment under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
Welcoming the delegation on behalf of the Director-General, Martins Olajide, NCSP’s Head of Internal Operations, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to fostering mutually beneficial partnerships.
He highlighted NCSP’s strong interest in the proposed Nigeria–China Trade and Investment Platform and the development of the Nigerian Oil Palm Industrial Park as a flagship demonstration project.
Also speaking at the meeting, Ms Judy Melifonwu, NCSP’s Head of International Relations, underscored the opportunities presented by China’s zero-tariff policy and the forthcoming NAQS–GACC protocol on the export of Nigerian aquaculture products. She noted that these frameworks would significantly enhance Nigeria’s competitiveness in emerging global markets.
Both parties expressed commitment to advancing discussions toward a structured cooperation framework covering all priority areas.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The United Kingdom–Nigeria Infrastructure Advisory Facility (UKNIAF), established in 2019 as part of a 16-year legacy of UK-funded infrastructure support to Nigeria, convened over 100 senior stakeholders on Tuesday, December 2, to review its progress and formally close out its current phase of operations.
The event brought together representatives from federal and state governments, development partners, development finance institutions, and the private sector to reflect on UKNIAF’s work across the power, infrastructure finance, and roads sectors. Discussions focused on institutional reforms, capacity development, and the sustainability of tools and processes introduced over the past six years.
Since inception, UKNIAF has delivered targeted technical assistance designed to embed evidence-based reforms, data-driven decision-making, and improved institutional performance. Its interventions have mobilised significant financing, strengthened regulatory and planning systems, and enhanced investor readiness across multiple infrastructure markets.
In the power sector, participants highlighted landmark achievements including the development of Nigeria’s first Integrated Resource Plan, which outlines a least-cost and low-carbon pathway for expanding electricity supply. UKNIAF also supported the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) in building advanced real-time data capabilities for tariff monitoring, grid management, and outage tracking. The programme enabled pioneering states to establish their own electricity markets following constitutional reforms.
In infrastructure finance, UKNIAF was recognised for strengthening project preparation systems and enabling access to capital. Notable accomplishments include supporting the mobilisation of $75 million from the African Development Bank to the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ) programme in two states, and accelerating mini-grid and solar deployment through improved technical standards at the Rural Electrification Agency (REA).
UKNIAF also designed a national project preparation facility, for which N21 billion was allocated in both the 2024 and 2025 budgets to build a pipeline of bankable projects.
Speaking on this, Mr Frank Edozie, UKNIAF Team Lead, described the programme’s close-out as a “handover for sustained delivery,” emphasising that strengthened institutions now hold tools that make Nigeria’s infrastructure landscape more transparent, climate-smart, and investor-ready.
On his part, the Minister of Power, Mr Adebayo Adelabu, commended the programme, noting that its technical assistance and advisory services had helped lay the foundation for a sustainable and inclusive electricity supply industry.
Mrs Cynthia Rowe, Head of Development Corporation at the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) in Nigeria, praised the partnership, highlighting achievements ranging from state-level electricity market reforms to unlocking major financing and designing Nigeria’s Climate Change Fund.
Enugu State Secretary to the State Government, Professor Chidiebere Onyia, underscored the lasting influence of the programme, stating that UKNIAF’s impact continues through the expertise and leadership transferred to national and sub-national institutions.
The close-out event reaffirmed stakeholders’ commitment to sustaining tools, reforms, and knowledge products developed under UKNIAF, while strengthening collaboration among public, private, and development actors in the infrastructure ecosystem.
Participants included federal and state agencies such as the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Federal Ministry of Power, Ministry of Finance, NERC, REA, and the Transmission Company of Nigeria, alongside development partners including the African Development Bank, World Bank, and IFC, as well as private sector and civil society stakeholders.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The gantry price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), otherwise known as petrol, has been slashed by the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.
The Lagos-based oil facility brought down the ex-depot price of the petroleum product by 15.58 per cent or N129 per litre to N828 per litre.
Though the company had yet to release an official statement on this development, real-time market data on Petroleumprice.ng on Friday showed the new price.
Punch reports that data from the platform also showed fresh reductions across several private depots following the refinery’s latest review.
Sigmund Depot cut its ex-depot price by N4 to N824 per litre, Bulk Strategic dropped its price by N3, and TechnoOil slashed its by N15.
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