The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has criticised former Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, for advocating the decentralisation of minimum wage negotiations.
Fayemi suggested that states should have the authority to negotiate their own minimum wage agreements with labor unions, considering their unique circumstances.
In a statement issued by Abdul-Yekinn Odunayo, the National Clerk of the Senate of NANS, the student body labeled Fayemi’s proposal as anti-worker. NANS urged the Federal Government to disregard Fayemi’s call and instead enforce the implementation of the new minimum wage across all states, should it be signed into law.
Odunayo emphasised that Fayemi’s suggestion could potentially create conflict between state governors and the federal government.
He stated, “We want to urge the Federal Government to ignore former governor Kayode Fayemi and his call for a decentralised minimum wage negotiation with the labour force. In fact, we want the federal government to compel state governors to pay the new minimum wage if it is signed into law and to impose serious sanctions and punishment on any state governor who defaults on the payment of the new minimum wage.”
NANS, under the leadership of Pedro Obi, has expressed full support for the labour unions’ demand for a new minimum wage, advocating for N250,000 as opposed to the government’s offer of N62,000. The student body has pledged its unwavering support for the labour unions in their pursuit of better wages and working conditions.
Furthermore, NANS reiterated its commitment to supporting the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in efforts to restore Nigeria’s former glory and ensure safe and conducive living and working conditions for all Nigerians.
The organisation stressed that both federal and state governments must prioritize workers’ welfare and implement policies that will improve the living standards of Nigerians.
