National Minimum Wage amendments — historical overview (2011–2019)

Verification note

This imported entry describes several amendments rather than an identified original instrument. Its exact date and consolidated version are unverified. The 2024 amendment raised the minimum wage to ₦70,000; see the verified 2024 amendment.

NATIONAL MINIMUM WAGE (AMENDMENT) ACT

What Is This Policy?

The cumulative amendments to the National Minimum Wage Act that progressively increased Nigeria's minimum wage from its original level to N18,000 in 2011 and N30,000 in 2019.

Who Does It Target?

All qualifying employers and their employees Federal and state governments as employers Trade unions negotiating collective agreements Federal Ministry of Labour enforcement officers

What Does It Aim to Achieve?

Keep the national minimum wage current with economic conditions by providing for its periodic review and upward adjustment through legislative amendment.

Key Features

Progressive Increases: Each amendment Act increased the minimum wage to reflect cost of living increases. Historical Rate: The 2019 Act established a N30,000 minimum wage, subsequently raised to ₦70,000 in 2024. Enforcement: Employers who pay below the current minimum wage face criminal prosecution. Review Cycle: Amendments follow tripartite negotiations among government, employers, and labour unions.

Current Status

This overview describes the 2011–2019 amendments; it is not a statement of the current wage floor. Coverage: All qualifying employers nationwide Beneficiaries: Low-wage workers; consumer economy Funding: Employer compliance

How to Access

Workers can report non-compliance with the applicable minimum wage to the Ministry of Labour Employers must implement the current minimum wage immediately upon enactment Application method: Report minimum wage violations to Federal Ministry of Labour.

Important Terms

N30,000 was the 2019 floor; the 2024 amendment raised it to ₦70,000 Employees with fewer than 25 workers in certain sectors may have different arrangements States may set higher minimums for their own employees

Official Resources

Website: https://www.labour.gov.ng Contact: Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment

Legal Framework

The National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Act operates under the National Minimum Wage Act 2019, the Labour Act, and the Trade Unions Act. Constitutional authority derives from Section 17(3)(b) of the 1999 Constitution (just and humane conditions of work). The Act aligns with ILO Convention 131 on Minimum Wage Fixing, the National Labour Advisory Council framework, and the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission Act on wage-setting methodology.