News
Private Sector Urges Government for Support to Meet New N70,000 Minimum Wage
Following the recent agreement between the Federal Government and organized labor on a new minimum wage of N70,000, the Organised Private Sector of Nigeria (OPSN) has raised concerns about its capacity to meet this financial obligation.
The workers’ union had initially accepted the increase based on President Tinubu’s assurance of government support to facilitate the transition for private sector employers.
The OPSN is now urging the Federal Government to promptly outline the specifics of the promised support to enable businesses to plan effectively. The private sector is currently grappling with substantial production costs and other financial pressures.
Mr. Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, Director-General of the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), voiced these concerns on behalf of the OPSN.
While acknowledging the government’s efforts in approving the new minimum wage, he emphasized the need for additional measures to alleviate the burden on businesses.
These measures include reversing recent increases in electricity tariffs, ensuring that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) fulfills outstanding financial commitments to companies in the productive sector, imposing a moratorium on new taxes and levies for the next five years, and providing exemptions and subsidies for imported conversion kits.
Oyerinde stressed the importance of implementing reforms that will enhance the private sector’s capacity to absorb the new wage levels.
He noted that during discussions with the National Minimum Wage Committee, the OPSN had previously expressed concerns about meeting the earlier recommended minimum wage of N62,000.
This recommendation was made with the understanding that the government would take concrete steps to mitigate the existing economic challenges facing the private sector.
The NECA Director-General underscored that the ability of the private sector to comply with the new wage demands is a critical issue that needs addressing.
Candidates scheduled to retake the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) will start receiving text messages from today, Thursday. A total of 379,997 candidates across five South East states and Lagos are expected to resit the exam. JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, confirmed this during a press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday.
He explained that 206,610 candidates in 65 centers in Lagos and 173,387 candidates across 92 centers in the Owerri zone of the South East were affected. Oloyede took full responsibility for what he described as a “sabotage” of the UTME and apologized to the candidates. Out of the 1.9 million who sat for the exam, more than 1.5 million scored below 200 out of a possible 400 marks.
A lecturer at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Christian Okeke, has called on the JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, to go beyond shedding tears and take full accountability by resigning from his position.
This comes after JAMB admitted to technical issues during the 2025 UTME. Okeke criticized the decision to have candidates in some centers rewrite the exam, describing it as unfair and emotionally distressing. He insisted that only the release of the original results can truly correct the situation.
According to him, JAMB initially defended the poor outcomes, where over 1.5 million candidates scored below 200, claiming it reflected their academic ability. He argued that it took public outcry and pressure from stakeholders before the board acknowledged its failures.
He described Oloyede’s emotional apology as insufficient, saying, “Tears won’t fix the damage. His resignation is the next responsible step.” Okeke also condemned the planned resit for candidates in 65 Lagos centers and 92 across the South East, calling it an inconsiderate move that shows a lack of empathy for the affected students and their families.
Activist and president of the North Central Youth Council, Sunday Asuku, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to consider replacing Vice President Kashim Shettima with a Christian candidate in the 2027 general election.
In a statement on Monday, Asuku stressed that Tinubu’s choice of vice president could make or break his chances for re-election. He argued that selecting a Christian vice president would not only be symbolic but also a strategic and unifying move for Nigeria’s democracy.
Asuku mentioned that the 2027 elections will be a crucial test of Nigeria’s commitment to unity and inclusivity. He pointed out that the Muslim-Muslim ticket in the 2023 elections created division, and that addressing this imbalance with a Christian running mate would help strengthen national cohesion.
He went on to say that religious balance in leadership is still a vital necessity in Nigeria’s diverse society. “Tinubu has a chance to correct the mistake of 2023 and make a strong statement of inclusion. This opportunity should not be missed,” Asuku said.
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