The National Association of University Students (NAUS) has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for signing the N30,000 new minimum wage bill into law.

NAUS Deputy Secretary-General, Comrade Isioma Ogochukwu, gave the commendation in a statement made available to News Express on Friday in Lagos.

News Express recalls that Buhari on Thursday signed the Minimum Wage Repeal and Re-Enactment Act, 2019 into law; by this act, the least paid worker in the country will now receive N30,000 monthly.

Ogochukwu noted that NAUS saw the signing as a long awaited gesture to workers in Nigeria to enjoy the fruit of their labour, considering what is obtainable in other African countries and the world at large.

He expressed hope that state governors would not hesitate to pay the new wage to their workers, since it was a collective agreement.

He also commended the national leadership of organised labour for their doggedness throughout the negotiation for the new national minimum wage.

The NAUS scribe stressed the need to continue the fight especially at the states level, to ensure that all governors comply with the new law.

He, however, appealed to state governors to strictly adhere with the new minimum wage by prompt payment of workers’ salaries in their various states, adding that the association will not hesitate to mobilise against states who fail to do so.

“The National Association of University Students wish to commend President Buhari for attending to the National Minimum Wage Bill as sent by the National Assembly.

“It shows that he cares for the welfare of the masses and working class in particular. We believe that the implementation date will be the date of assent.

“It is also important to remind ourselves that the N30,000 minimum wage remains insufficient for workers when we consider the inflation rate in our country and the prevailing economic realities.

“However, we must appreciate the sincerity of the president in ensuring that the new minimum wage becomes implemented, which of course will have direct impact on us as students since most of our parents are workers,” Ogochukwu said.

The Senate had on March 19, approved N30,000 as the new national minimum wage proposed by the tripartite committee set up by the president.

The approved new wage was achieved after more than a year negotiation by the tripartite committee in addition to protest and strike by the organised labour.

Federal Government last reviewed its National Minimum wages in 2011 during former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.

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