The Federal Government stated that President Bola Tinubu’s administration cannot offer a “impossible” wage that it will not be able to afford.
Prof Muhammad Ali Pate, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, mentioned this during an interview with Channels Television on Wednesday.
However, Pate stated that the government is committed to increasing the welfare and earnings of doctors, nurses, and other health workers in the country.
He said, “We appreciate them.Few people choose to go abroad for training. We have given permission for some of them to travel to other locations for training. We anticipate that when they train, they will return home.
“We are increasing the training of those around us and improving working conditions.
“In the framework of the country’s ongoing wage review, we have filed comments to the Salary Incomes and Wages Commission to alter the remuneration of the health workforce.”At the end of the day, it’s what the economy can support. At the end of the day, you can’t offer what you don’t have, therefore we must be very careful not to promise things that are impossible to keep.
“Many of the legacy issues date back ten years; promises were made but could not be fulfilled. So it’s meaningless to keep making promises and putting yourself in situations where you can’t maintain them.
“One thing for sure: this President is committed to the welfare of the Nigerian workforce and in our case in health the sector, he is the champion for Health Resource in the African Union, and that says a lot about where his mind is in terms of the health workforce.”
The minister’s statement came hours after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) halted a minimum wage review memo to allow for additional consultations. Recall that in his Democracy Day speech on June 12, 2024, President Bola Tinubu pledged the Organised Labour that an executive bill on the new national minimum wage for workers will be brought to the National Assembly for approval.
President Tinubu is anticipated to decide on the government and business sector’s ₦62,000 proposal, as well as Labour’s ₦250,000 demand.
Bottom Line
The government’s recognition that it cannot offer salaries beyond its financial capability is grounded in economic reality. Promising unsustainable wage increases could lead to financial instability and unfulfilled commitments, as seen in past administrations.
