Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, non-executive chairman of Access Holdings Plc, has urged the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC) to begin early preparations for Nigeria’s 2027 minimum wage review to promote informed negotiations and reduce industrial disputes.
Aig-Imoukhuede made the call on Monday through Chioma Njoku, his representative, at the commission’s board and management retreat in Abuja.
He said proactive, evidence-based wage governance was necessary to promote fairness, fiscal sustainability and predictability in wage determination, while strengthening public confidence in the country’s wage-setting system.
He identified fragmented salary structures, inadequate data, differences in states’ revenue capacities and weak enforcement as challenges affecting effective wage governance.
Aig-Imoukhuede called for reliable labour market information and fiscal assessments to guide wage decisions and help prevent prolonged disputes between government, organised labour and employers.
He also recommended strengthening the commission’s database and publishing an annual State of Wage Governance Report to track wage compliance, workers’ purchasing power and productivity indicators.
According to him, the first edition of the proposed report could be released in 2027.
He urged the commission to promote continuous engagement among stakeholders to encourage information sharing, scenario planning and consensus-building before wage disagreements escalate.
Aig-Imoukhuede also proposed that the commission use its first 100 days to establish its vision, performance indicators and an inter-agency forum. He recommended reviewing its wage-setting methodology by the end of 2027 and developing a national scorecard by 2030.
Marvelous Isibor Aigbedion, an associate professor and another resource person at the retreat, also called for a shift from crisis-driven wage negotiations to proactive, evidence-based incomes governance.
Aigbedion identified inflation, declining purchasing power, industrial conflicts and uneven implementation of wage policies as major challenges facing Nigeria’s wage system.
He said the commission needed stronger analytical capacity, reliable labour market data and fiscal impact assessments to guide wage decisions.
He added that wage governance should extend beyond minimum wage determination to cover productivity, income distribution, policy enforcement and broader economic policies.
Aigbedion recommended stronger compliance mechanisms, improved payroll monitoring and faster dispute resolution to ensure effective implementation of wage policies.
He also proposed a technical working group to share data, assess policy options and build consensus before wage-related disagreements arise.
He called for a transparent cost-of-living assessment method to support informed wage reviews, adding that sustainable wage increases required stronger compliance systems, improved productivity and policies aligned with Nigeria’s development and fiscal strategies.
Ibrahim Kana, permanent secretary of the General Services Office, urged the commission to strengthen collaboration between its board and management to improve accountability and service delivery.
Kana said clearly defined responsibilities, evidence-based decisions, structured communication and accountability were essential to effective institutional performance.
He recommended a clear board charter, delegation framework, committee structure and approved scheme of service to prevent duplication of responsibilities and gaps in accountability.
Kana also called for regular reporting on financial performance, strategic plan implementation, major risks, audit findings and human resource issues.
He warned that board resolutions without proper implementation and follow-up could undermine institutional effectiveness.
He further emphasised transparency, ethical conduct, internal controls and accountability in the management of public resources.
Kana said effective board-management collaboration would strengthen remuneration policies, promote fairness, improve productivity and support sustainable government expenditure.
