FG Inaugurates New NSIWC Board, Charges Members On Fair Wages

The Federal Government has inaugurated the new Board of the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC), charging members to promote fair remuneration, improved productivity and industrial harmony.

Speaking at the inauguration in Abuja on Friday, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, described the development as significant, coming at a critical period in Nigeria’s economic transformation under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Akume said the administration was implementing far-reaching reforms aimed at restoring economic stability, strengthening productivity, improving workers’ welfare and laying the foundation for sustainable and inclusive growth.

He said the NSIWC had a strategic role to play because its responsibilities covered salary structures, productivity, job evaluation and compensation, all of which directly affect workers’ welfare, industrial harmony and the sustainability of government finances.

“The role of the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission is particularly strategic at this time. The Commission is entrusted with responsibilities relating to salary structures, productivity, job evaluation and compensation matters that have direct implications for workers’ remuneration, productivity, industrial harmony and the sustainability of government finances,” Akume said.

The SGF said the new Board must strike a balance between fair and decent remuneration, improved productivity, affordability and Nigeria’s broader economic realities.

He noted that the inauguration came amid the implementation of the new National Minimum Wage framework, which had raised workers’ expectations while placing greater responsibilities on government and employers.

Akume urged the Board to ensure that its recommendations were evidence-based, transparent, timely, equitable and fiscally responsible, supported by reliable data on wages, productivity, purchasing power and economic growth.

“The Commission must promote a remuneration system that recognises skills, responsibility, innovation, and productivity while encouraging efficiency and accountability,” he said.

He also called for stronger digital and data capabilities to position the commission as a centre of excellence in compensation and productivity.

President Tinubu appointed Major General Junaid Bindawa (Rtd.) as Chairman of the new Board, alongside nine other members.

Former Lagos State member of the House of Representatives, Olajumoke Okoya-Thomas, was appointed Secretary of the Commission.

Other appointees include Dr Ogbole Ene Lilian, Oladele Olatubosun and Yakubu Umar Barde, representing Benue, Oyo and Kaduna states respectively.

The remaining members are Dr Mai Adamu Yau from Borno State, Ginika Florence Tor from Enugu State, Engineer Lawrence Okoh from Edo State, and Bello Moronke Iyabode from Kogi State.

Akume congratulated the chairman and members, urging them to justify the confidence placed in them by providing “visionary, responsible and results-oriented leadership.”

In his acceptance speech, Bindawa thanked President Tinubu for the confidence reposed in the Board and pledged to promote constructive engagement with organised labour.

He acknowledged the importance of the Board’s responsibilities, particularly in overseeing salaries, wages, incomes and productivity, which he said were critical to workers’ welfare and the delivery of quality public services.