President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said that the national minimum wage needs a review to reflect realities, assuring that improved livelihood for Nigerians remains a top priority of his administration, with more people-focused economic policies.
He, therefore, advised that the national and sub-national governments should work together on the issue, which, according to him, already requires “soul searching.’’
The President made these declarations yesterday, when he received members of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) led by the Chairman, Hope Uzodinma, Governor of Imo State, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Tinubu stated: “We need to do some arithmetic and soul searching on the minimum wage,’’ adding, “We will have to take a look at that together, and the revenue. We must strengthen the source and application of our revenue.’’
He urged the governors to seize the opportunity of being chosen among millions of citizens in their states to make a difference in the lives of people, adding that he will work for the benefit of Nigerians.
The President said that the multiple exchange rates will be streamlined, noting that governance was a continuum.
According to Tinubu, he would maintain an open-door policy, willing to entertain issues, deliberate, and collectively find solutions to the challenges facing the country, including security.
In his remarks, the Vice-President, Kashim Shettima, called on the governors to rally around the President as he tackles the challenges that stagnate the economy, like the oil subsidy and multiple exchange rates.
Earlier, the Imo State Governor pledged the support of the Progressive Governors to the President, noting that the initial decisions already foretell good intentions for the economy. Uzodinma noted that the President had started well, by placing the economy and welfare of the people on a priority list, with honesty of purpose.
Speaking to correspondents later, Uzodinma declared that Tinubu never prepared the 2023 Appropriation Act that did not provide for subsidy payment beyond June this year, and therefore, he was not the one that directed the cessation of subsidy payment.
Uzodinma noted that it has come to the point where it was either managed or it would kill the country.
