The Senate and the House of Representatives at its plenary session on Tuesday, 23rd July 2024, advanced through the legislative process, the Bills to amend the National Minimum Wage Act, 2019 and the Police Act, 2020 by conducting the First, Second and Third Readings of the said bills on the same date.
The Bill to amend the National Minimum Wage Act, 2019 seeks to increase the national minimum wage and reduce its review period from 5 years to 3 years, while the Bill to amend the Police Act, 2020 provides for a person appointed as Inspector General of Police (IGP) to remain in office until the end of term stipulated in their appointment letter.
Leading the debate on the Bill, the Majority Leader of the Senate, Michael Opeyemi Bamidele (APC:Ekiti) informed lawmakers that National Minimum Wage Act (Amendment) Bill seeks to raise the national minimum wage from N30,000 to N70,000, to reflect the rising cost of living. Sen. Bamidele also mentioned that the Bill further introduces a new review mechanism to ensure that the minimum wage remains relevant considering economic conditions and living standards. The Bill which was considered in the Committee of the whole was unanimously adopted by lawmakers before its Third Reading and passage.
Speaking on the Police Act (Amendment) Bill, he noted that the bill introduces a new subsection 18 (8a) to allow the IGP remain in office for the full term specified in his appointment letter to ensure leadership stability with the Nigerian Police Force (NPF). During the general debates on the principles and implications of the Police Act (Amendment) Bill at the Committee of the Whole, Sen. Ahmad Lawan (APC: Yobe) argued that the Bill could potentially create an abuse of office, stating that extending the IGP’s terms as specified in the appointment letter could lead to reduced accountability, as the IGP may feel secure in their position regardless of performance or conduct. The Bill was however read for the third time and passed by the Senate.
In the House of Representatives, the Leader, Hon. Julius Ihovbere (APC:Edo) outlined the key provisions of the Bills to amend the National Minimum Wage Act and the Police Act respectively. He emphasized the importance of the Bills, before moving a motion that the Bill be considered for second reading. At the Committee of the Whole, lawmakers spoke in support of the Bills which were subsequently read for the third time and passed by the House of Representatives.
The rapid advancement of the Bill through all three readings in the Senate and House of Representatives suggests strong backing and urgency from the Executive. The bills were not subjected to public hearing.
Click here to download copy of the National Minimum Wage Act (Amendment) Bill, 2024
Click here to download a copy of the Police Act (Amendment) Bill, 2024
