Fashola Criticizes National Assembly for Overstepping on Salaries Instead of Minimum Wage

In a recent statement, former Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, raised concerns over the legislative actions of the National Assembly regarding wages and salaries in Nigeria. Fashola pointed out that the constitution restricts the National Assembly to legislating on minimum wages, not salaries, which are defined differently.

According to Fashola, wages are typically paid hourly, while salaries are fixed amounts paid over a period. He highlighted that the Minimum Wage Act, which mandates a monthly payment, might exceed the constitutional authority of the National Assembly, as it pertains to wages, not salaries.

Fashola suggested that a proper understanding and application of wage calculations should be hourly, derived from annual earnings divided by weeks and hours worked per week. This approach, he argued, would result in a more accurate minimum wage calculation, currently set at N30,000 monthly, translating to approximately N173.07 per hour.

The former Lagos State governor emphasized the need for a constitutional amendment to align legislative powers with the distinction between wages and salaries. He advocated for fair adjustments to both high and low-income earners’ compensation to mitigate the impact of rising living costs.

Fashola’s remarks underscore the ongoing debate over minimum wage policies in Nigeria, highlighting the complexities and implications of legislative actions on economic measures affecting the workforce.