Senate President Godswill Akpabio has announced that the newly approved minimum wage of ₦70,000 applies to all public and private workers including maids and other domestic staff. He made this declaration during the plenary session on Tuesday.

The bill was swiftly passed by both chambers of the National Assembly shortly after being transmitted by President Bola Tinubu. During the plenary, Akpabio emphasized, “If you are a tailor and employ additional hands, you cannot pay them below ₦70,000. If you are a mother with a newborn and hire a housemaid, you cannot pay below the approved minimum wage. This is not a maximum wage; it applies to all.”

He continued, “If you hire a driver or gateman, their salary cannot be below ₦70,000. I am delighted this has been passed, and we now look forward to employers of labor improving on this benchmark.”

Akpabio also congratulated the Nigeria Labour Congress, all Nigerians, and the National Assembly for this significant legislation, which reduces the negotiation term from five years to three, considering the rising cost of living. He concluded by adjourning the sitting to September 17.