The federal government says the inauguration of the tripartite committee on national minimum wage for workers is a clear expression of its desire to nurture a motivated workforce.

Vice President Kashim Shettima made the declaration on Tuesday, while inaugurating the committee at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
He stressed that the exercise reemphasizes the importance of workers to the development of the nation as the labour force stands as the cornerstone of the progress of every nation and that of Nigeria has been the enduring engine of the common pursuit to development.

While highlighting the financial capacity of all tiers of government to pay the new minimum wage the secretary to the government of the federation, George Akume urged the committee to ensure its deliberations consider the interest of all employers of labour.

Following the consideration of the final recommendation, the government's decision will be presented as an Executive Bill to the National Assembly to undergo thorough legislative scrutiny before being passed into law.

The 37-man tripartite committee has six Governors, some cabinet Ministers, representatives of the organised labour and the private sector among its members.

The Governors include Mohammed Bago of Niger State, representing the North Central; Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, representing the North East; Dikko Radda of Katsina State, representing the North West; Charles Soludo of Anambra State, representing the South East; Ademola Adeleke of Osun State, representing the South-West, and Otu Bassey of Cross River State, representing the South-South.

The Ministers are Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu; the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. (Mrs) Yemi Esan, and the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha.