On March 7, 2024, Wale Edun, the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, would preside over the South-West hearing on the federal minimum wage.

Chukwu Oby, the head of the Ministry of Finance’s press and public relations unit, made the announcement on Monday.

Six zonal public hearings have been held nationwide by the federal government to review the current wage policy in an effort to guarantee a just and sustainable national minimum wage.

Prominent individuals representing a range of interests will be sitting alongside Mr. Edun on the panel. Omo-Lamai Grace, speaking on behalf of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria and promoting the interests of employers; Governor Adeleke Ademola of Osun State; Adeyanju Adewale of the Nigeria Labour Congress and Shuaibu Afusatu of the Trade Union Congress will both effectively represent organized labor. Muhammad Nura of the Nigeria Association of Small and Medium Enterprises will offer insightful commentary from the business community.

“In addition, Onyejeocha Nkeiruka, the Honorable Minister of State for Labor and Employment, will provide her expertise.”

“This cooperative effort seeks to strike a balance between the well-being of workers and the economic health of the nation,” the statement continued.

“The government hopes to create a minimum wage policy that reflects our economic realities and aspirations by involving stakeholders and taking their perspectives into consideration.”

The statement goes on to say that Nigerians should “work together to build a stronger, fairer” country and that “stakeholders, policymakers, and concerned citizens are invited to participate actively in shaping this crucial policy.”