By Omeiza Ajayi
ABUJA: The Federal Government has inaugurated the new Board of the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission NSIWC, charging members to provide strategic leadership that ensures fair remuneration, improved productivity, and industrial harmony in Nigeria.
Secretary to the Government of the Federation SGF, George Akume, gave the charge at the inauguration ceremony held on Friday in Abuja, describing the event as significant, coming at a critical period in Nigeria’s economic transformation under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu.
This was contained in a statement issued by the Head, Press and Public Relations Unit, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chris Ugwuegbulam on Friday.
Akume said the Tinubu administration was implementing far-reaching reforms to restore economic stability, strengthen productivity, improve workers’ welfare, and lay the foundation for sustainable and inclusive growth.
“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,” he said.
The SGF stated that the challenge before the new Board was to maintain an appropriate balance between fair and decent remuneration, improved productivity, affordability, and the broader economic realities of the nation, noting that the appointment came at a crucial time following the implementation of the new National Minimum Wage framework, which had raised expectations among workers while placing greater responsibilities on government and employers.
He urged the Board to ensure its recommendations were evidence-based, transparent, timely, equitable and fiscally responsible, underpinned by robust research and 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. Strengthening digital and data capabilities and positioning the Commission as a centre of excellence in compensation and productivity is crucial,” he added.
Akume reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting institutions that advance the objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda, noting that the NSIWC had an important role in ensuring that the benefits of economic reforms translate into improved livelihoods and a more stable industrial environment.
President Tinubu had appointed nine other members to the commission alongside the new Board Chairman, Major General Junaid Bindawa (Rtd.), while a former member of the House of Representatives from Lagos, Olajumoke Okoya-Thomas, was appointed Secretary of the Commission.
Dr. Ogbole Ene Lilian, Oladele Olatubosun and Yakubu Umar Barde, representing Benue, Oyo and Kaduna states respectively, were appointed commissioners. Others appointed as 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 of the board and urged them to justify the confidence reposed in them by providing visionary, responsible and results-oriented leadership.
In his acceptance speech, the Chairman of the new Board, Major General Junaid Bindawa (retd.), expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for the confidence reposed in the Board, and assured that it was committed to constructive engagement and would work harmoniously with Organised Labour.
He acknowledged the weight of responsibilities entrusted to the Board, which include overseeing salaries, wages, incomes and productivity — key areas that affect workers’ welfare and the delivery of quality public service.
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