By Abiola Olawale
Amid ongoing discussions regarding a new National Minimum Wage (NMW) for Nigerian workers, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, has expressed concerns that a minimum wage of N100,000 may not be feasible.
This is as the SGF lamented that the wage increase demands by organised labour are not realistic.
Akume, who spoke in Abuja on Thursday, June 6, 2024, during a meeting with the National Executive Council (NEC) of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), said he can’t afford to pay his four drivers a N100,000 minimum wage if passed to law.
“I can’t afford to pay my driver N100,000 because they are four,” the former Benue State governor lamented.
He decried the demands by the organised labour, adding, “Where do we get that money from?”
It would be recalled that the comments of Akume is coming amid reports that organised labour is believed to have settled for N100,000 as the new minimum wage.
Labour has emphasised that it is not willing “to accept marginal increases of a few thousand naira” on the previously agreed N60,000 benchmark with the federal government.
Meanwhile, Nigerians have reacted to the statement of the SGF. Below are the reactions curated from the social media:
“Mr George Akume ideally lives on his pension as a former Governor and his salary as the SGF. If he says he can’t personally afford to pay his Drivers a 100k, what is wrong with that? Is he supposed to have billions? Is he supposed to boast that he can pay his Driver 500k? And if he said that, what will be the public reaction?Was this not the prudent life that earned the former President the title of integrity?” (@ShehuSani).
“This shouldn’t have come from someone like him. What can 100k buy in today’s Nigeria if we’re being sincere? And what is oga doing with four drivers if he can’t afford to pay them an amount that will in the least make them survive? 🤦”(@olamijuwon1007).
“We’ve allowed a lot of rubbish from our leaders far too long. One man four drivers. Govt can afford to pay you in millions per month but you can’t pay your four drivers in thousands.” (@QUEENOFDBLUE1)
“Only him has four drivers, why not use your children as your drivers then you won’t even bother about paying them 100k each.” (@stardudefire).
“George Akume’s statement on his inability to pay his 4 drivers N100,000 minimum wage indicates he is probably paying them 30k each at the moment. Never seen a more wicked man.” (@LordJustusN).
