Senate President Akpabio Affirms: New Minimum Wage Extends to All Domestic Workers

As the nation continues to deliberate on the newly approved minimum wage, Senate President Godswill Akpabio has clarified that the updated wage applies to every worker across Nigeria. This inclusive approach ensures that domestic staff such as maids, drivers, and gatemen are also entitled to the newly established minimum wage of N70,000.

In his statement, Akpabio emphasized, “The new minimum wage is not limited to the public sector; it encompasses all workers, including those in the private sector. This means that even domestic workers, like housemaids and gatemen, should receive no less than N70,000 monthly. It is not a maximum wage but a baseline that must be adhered to.”

This announcement follows the swift passage of the minimum wage bill by both chambers of the National Assembly, promptly after its submission by President Bola Tinubu. Akpabio highlighted, “If you are a tailor and you employ additional hands, you cannot pay them below N70,000. Similarly, if you hire a housemaid to care for your newborn, you must adhere to the same standard. This legislation is comprehensive and applies to all employers.”

Akpabio also congratulated the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), all Nigerians, and the National Assembly for their roles in enacting this transformative legislation. “I congratulate the Nigeria Labour Congress, all Nigerians, and the National Assembly for this epoch-making legislation, which has even reduced the term of negotiations from five years to three years in view of the increasing cost of living. This is, again, a landmark legislation, so congratulations.”

Previously, the Nigerian government approved the N70,000 minimum wage following extensive deliberations with organized labor groups. Although the NLC, TUC, and their affiliates initially demanded N250,000, a consensus was reached at N70,000, resolving the prolonged wage dispute.

This new policy marks a historic moment for Nigeria, promising a fairer and more equitable future for all workers, including those in domestic roles who have often been overlooked in wage considerations.