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.
Life is full of unexpected moments that test our patience, strength, and perspective. Everyone experiences setbacks, disappointments, and periods of uncertainty. While these moments can feel overwhelming, they also provide opportunities for personal growth and self-discovery.
One of the most valuable lessons we learn is that difficult situations rarely last forever. Time, reflection, and a willingness to adapt often help us move beyond even the toughest circumstances. Maintaining a positive outlook and focusing on practical solutions can make a significant difference.
Relationships also play an important role in overcoming hardships. Support from family, friends, or mentors reminds us that we are not alone. At the same time, learning to let go of anger and resentment can free us from emotional burdens that prevent us from moving forward.
The only way out of the labyrinth of suffering is to forgive. It is nothing to die. It is frightful not to live. Everything was beautiful and nothing hurt.
Personal growth is not about avoiding challenges but about responding to them with resilience and wisdom. Every experience, whether positive or negative, contributes to the person we become. By embracing change and practicing gratitude, we can create a more meaningful and fulfilling life.
In the end, moving forward requires courage, forgiveness, and hope. When we choose to focus on what we can control instead of dwelling on the past, we open ourselves to new opportunities and a brighter future.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The establishment of four new army divisions has been approved by President Bola Tinubu, bringing the total to 12.
In a statement on Thursday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, it was stated that the President also authorised the recruitment of 28,000 additional personnel to strengthen national security.
The new divisions created include 5 Division, with the headquarters in Makurdi covering Benue, Nasarawa and Kogi States; 9 Division, with the headquarters in Ilorin covering Kwara and Niger States; 10 Division, with the headquarters in Jalingo covering Taraba and Adamawa States; and 83 Division, with the headquarters in Benin City covering Edo, Delta and Bayelsa States.
It was disclosed that the establishment of the new Divisions in Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo and Benin City will significantly improve command and control, decentralise operational decision-making, strengthen border security, enhance the protection of critical national infrastructure, improve counter-insurgency and internal security operations, and ensure faster military response to emerging threats nationwide.
Implementation of the new force structure will be done in two phases. The first phase, covering the establishment of the 5, 9, and 10 Divisions and the reorganisation of existing formations, will be completed by September 2026. The second phase, involving the establishment of the 83 Division and further reorganisation, is expected to be completed by December 2026.
The statement said the expansion of the Nigerian Army’s structure from eight to twelve divisions will improve the operational effectiveness of the security agency and strengthen national defence capabilities further.
Before now, the Nigerian Army operated 1 Division, with the headquarters in Kaduna covering Kaduna, Kano, Katsina and Jigawa States; 2 Division, with the headquarters in Ibadan covering Oyo, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo States; 3 Division, with the headquarters in Jos covering Plateau, Bauchi and Gombe States; 6 Division, with the headquarters in Port Harcourt covering Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River States; 7 Division, with the headquarters in Maiduguri covering Borno and Yobe States; 8 Division, with the headquarters in Sokoto covering Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara States; 81 Division, with the headquarters in Lagos covering Lagos and Ogun States; and 82 Division, with the headquarters in Enugu covering Enugu, Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi and Imo States.
Mr Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s determination to continue investing in the Armed Forces, ensuring they remain adequately equipped, highly motivated, and fully capable of protecting the nation and guaranteeing the safety and security of all Nigerians.
He lauded the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Ibrahim Shuaibu, and all officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army for their dedication, professionalism, and steadfast commitment to defending Nigeria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
By Dipo Olowookere
The need for new thinking on energy transition, infrastructure financing and energy journalism has been emphasised by a leading energy company, Sahara Group.
The organisation, at the 2026 Asharami Square held in Lagos on Wednesday, July 22, stressed the need for solution-based journalism for better results.
At the event themed Energising Africa’s Future: Legacy, Impact and Transformation, the Director of Governance and Sustainability at Sahara Group, Ms Ejiro Gray, in her opening remarks, noted that Africa’s energy future must be shaped by local realities, calling for more balanced, evidence-based journalism capable of interrogating the complexities of energy transition, development and sustainability.
“Effective journalism should not only tell us what happened; it should help us understand why it matters, whose interests are affected and what perspectives are missing from the conversation,” she posited.
The Special Adviser to the President on Power Infrastructure, Mr Sadiq Wanka, in his keynote address, highlighted the opportunities emerging within Nigeria’s electricity sector as reforms continue to open new pathways for investment.
He stated that reforms across the sector were creating opportunities in embedded generation, mini-grids, renewable energy, transmission infrastructure and industrial power solutions, while urging journalists to delve deeper into policy reforms, investment opportunities and implementation outcomes.
“The issue is no longer technology. The real challenge is mobilising capital at scale, structuring bankable opportunities and creating an ecosystem that attracts long-term financing,” Mr Wanka said.
At a panel session featuring the Director of Institute of Continuing Education of the University of Lagos, Prof. Abigail Ogwezzy-Ndisika; the chief executive of the Lagos State Electricity Regulatory Commission (LASERC), Ms Temitope George; and the Managing Director of Chapel Hill Denham, Ms Kemi Awodein, it was echoed that Africa possesses significant pools of capital capable of supporting infrastructure development, but that unlocking investment requires stronger governance, investor confidence and better project preparation.
“Energy reporting must go beyond headline events and announcements. Journalists need to ask deeper questions, examine the evidence and connect policy decisions to their impact on communities and everyday lives,” Prof Ogwezzy-Ndisika stated at the panel moderated by the Associate Editor for Africa at Argus Media, Mr Adebiyi Olusolape.
Ms Awodein, during the panel which explored the question: Who is financing Africa’s energy future? Pointed out that “Nigeria has demonstrated that domestic capital can finance transformational infrastructure at scale. The real differentiator is governance, transparency and a clear pathway to value creation.”
Business Post reports that one of the major highlights of the programme was the unveiling of the Asharami Square Energy Reporting Fellowship, which the Head of Corporate Communications at Sahara Group, Mr Bethel Obioma, said was designed to deepen journalists’ understanding of the technical, commercial, environmental and policy issues shaping the energy sector.
He disclosed that this aligns with Sahara Group’s Beyond XXX vision of investing in people and platforms that will help shape Africa’s future, adding that Prof Ogwezzy-Ndisika will serve as the lead assessor for the programme.
“Through the Asharami Square Energy Reporting Fellowship, we are investing in the capacity of journalists to tell more solutions and evidence-based stories that reflect the realities, opportunities and challenges of Africa’s energy transition,” he stated.
Since its launch in 2024, Asharami Square has continued to advance informed dialogue, strategic partnerships and practical solutions that support Africa’s evolving energy landscape and reinforce Sahara Group’s commitment to delivering impact beyond its first three decades.
