Vice-President Kashim Shettima, along with governors and several members of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic team, are currently gathered in Abuja. They have convened under the National Economic Council (NEC) at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
This meeting follows recent developments where the Federal Executive Council (FEC) deferred the memo concerning the proposed New Minimum Wage for workers across the country. Minister of Information and National Orientation, Muhammad Idris, explained that President Tinubu found it necessary to postpone the memo in order to consult further with various stakeholders on the matter.
The NEC meeting is expected to address the issue of the minimum wage, aiming to reach consensus on the best course of action going forward. Concurrently, the Governors Forum concluded a meeting last night in Abuja where they also deliberated on the New National Minimum Wage.
According to a communique released after their meeting, the governors resolved to “continue engaging with key stakeholders to reach a mutually agreeable solution.”
The National Economic Council consists of the 36 state governors, the Governor of the Central Bank, and other members co-opted for their expertise. Chaired by the Vice President, the NEC convenes monthly to fulfill its mandate of advising the President on economic matters affecting the Federation. This includes recommending measures essential for economic planning and development programs.
Present at the ongoing 141st NEC meeting are governors such as Usman Ododo (Kogi), Uba Sani (Kaduna), Lawal Dauda (Zamfara), Charles Soludo (Anambra), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), and Lucky Ayedatiwa (Ondo). Also in attendance, as reported by Daily Trust, are Abdullahi Sule (Nasarawa), AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq (Kwara), Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau), Hope Uzodimma (Imo), Biodun Oyebanji (Ekiti), Muhammed Inuwa Yahaya (Gombe), Peter Mbah (Enugu), Francis Nwifuru (Ebonyi), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Umar Radda (Katsina), Abba Yusuf (Kano), Umar Namadi (Jigawa), and Umar Bago (Niger).
These gatherings underscore the critical nature of the ongoing discussions among key stakeholders in shaping economic policies that will impact the nation’s workforce and overall economic stability.
