President Bola Tinubu has announced the approval of a provisional allowance of N25,000 for junior federal workers over the next six months. This decision comes after negotiations with labor unions and stakeholders to increase the federal minimum wage without causing undue inflation. During his Independence Day address, Tinubu expressed his concern for the suffering of Nigerians and emphasized the need for reforms to address the grip of a select few on the nation’s resources.
In his speech, Tinubu highlighted the government’s efforts to ease the burden on families and households. He mentioned public sector reforms, fiscal and monetary policies to fight inflation, support for the poor and vulnerable, and infrastructure support funds for states. Tinubu also mentioned the deployment of cheaper and safer Compressed Natural Gas buses to reduce transportation costs. Additionally, he announced plans to extend cash transfer programs to an additional 15 million vulnerable households.
Tinubu assured citizens that his administration is committed to fighting corruption, particularly through ongoing probes into the activities of the former Central Bank of Nigeria leadership. He pledged that monetary policy would benefit all and not just the powerful and wealthy. The President also commended the security forces for their efforts in maintaining safety and securing territorial integrity.
In response to the planned nationwide strike, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) stated that it does not violate any court order, contrary to claims made by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi. The NLC criticized Fagbemi’s alleged acts of partisanship and emphasized the citizens’ right to protest.
