The National Council of State on Tuesday approved the sum of ₦27, 000 as the new national minimum wage.

Speaking after the meeting which was presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige said the Federal Government will increase the approved amount to ₦30,000 for workers in the Federal Civil Service.

The minister however added that  state governors were at liberty to increase the approved amount if they so desired. Recall that in December 2018, the Ama Pepple-led tripartite committee had recommended ₦30, 000 as minimum wage.

The meeting which started at 11am prompt at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa, Abuja had past Presidents and Heads of State, Chief Justices of Nigeria (CJN), leadership of the National Assembly, state governors among others in attendance.

Those at Tuesday’s meeting included former presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Abdulsalami Abubakar and Goodluck Ebele Jonathan as well as the former Head of the nation’s Interim National Government, Ernest Shonekan

Others at the meeting were Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Senate President, Bukola Saraki and former CJN, Mohammed Uwais.

The state Governors at the meeting included that of Osun, Kebbi, Zamfara, Plateau, Ebonyi, Adamawa, Edo, Lagos, Niger, Borno, Ogun, Ekiti and Kogi while Bauchi, Kaduna and Rivers states were represented by their Deputy Governors.

Also in attendance were the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, Head of Service, Winifred Oyo-Ita, National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno, FCT Minister, Mohammed Bello and Minister of Labour, Chris Ngige.

Former Heads of State Yakubu Gowon, Ibrahim Babangida and former CJN, Mariam Muktar sent apologies for their absence at the meeting.

The Council of State is an organ of the Federal Government saddled with the responsibility of advising the executive arm of government on policy making.