Employers Association vows to enforce Nigeria’s ₦70,000 minimum wage, ensure decent work, protect labour rights, and promote ethical employment practices nationwide.
The Employers Association for Private Employment Agencies of Nigeria (EAPEAN) has declared a firm commitment to enforce compliance with the national minimum wage of ₦70,000 and ensure that all workers in the private sector enjoy decent and fair employment.
At the association’s 14th Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Lagos, EAPEAN President, Chief Nzeribe Okegbue, said the union would no longer tolerate companies that pay below the approved minimum wage or violate decent work standards. He stressed that any employer who disregards the new wage policy risks serious consequences.
“Our priority is to enforce full compliance with the national minimum wage and strengthen our partnership with the Federal Ministry of Labour, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), and international labour organizations,” Okegbue stated.
Chief Okegbue announced plans to reinforce the association’s internal structure and deepen collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO), International Organization for Migration (IOM), and other global partners. He said such partnerships would ensure that Nigerian workers are treated fairly, protected from exploitation, and paid according to the national minimum wage.
He condemned reports that some companies still pay workers between ₦20,000 and ₦50,000 monthly, describing it as “dehumanizing and unacceptable.”
“You cannot talk about decent work when employees earn far below the ₦70,000 minimum wage. Decent work begins with decent pay, safe workplaces, and a healthy environment,” he said.
According to him, enforcing the minimum wage is central to achieving social justice and economic growth. He emphasized that every worker deserves fair compensation that reflects their effort and contribution to the nation’s development.
In his contribution, Past President Olufemi Ogunlowo highlighted the pressing challenges confronting private sector employers. He explained that inflation, high production costs, and weak infrastructure have strained business operations, yet employers must prioritize fair labour standards.
“The new minimum wage has increased operational costs, but ethical recruitment and fair compensation remain vital for national stability,” Ogunlowo noted.
He stressed that despite economic pressures, employers should invest in digitizing their recruitment processes, improving efficiency, and adhering to labour laws to protect workers’ welfare. Ogunlowo also reaffirmed EAPEAN’s dedication to promoting ethical employment and eradicating exploitative labour practices across Nigeria.
EAPEAN pledged to intensify efforts toward safeguarding job seekers and migrant workers who often face exploitation through unlicensed recruitment agencies. Chief Okegbue said the association will work with the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity and the IOM to regulate employment agencies and ensure all operators are properly licensed.
“Protecting job seekers is essential. No agency should collect fees or send workers abroad without authorization. Our goal is to ensure transparent and fair recruitment in line with the minimum wage and global labour standards,” he affirmed.
The association also plans to launch awareness campaigns educating citizens about their employment rights and the importance of engaging only with registered, ethical job agencies.
Experts at the AGM argued that enforcing the minimum wage could boost productivity and stimulate economic growth by improving purchasing power among Nigerian workers. They noted that fair pay motivates employees, reduces turnover, and enhances national development.
Chief Okegbue agreed, saying that the ₦70,000 minimum wage is not a burden but a crucial investment in human capital. When employees are paid fairly, he said, they become more loyal, efficient, and creative—qualities essential to sustainable economic progress.
“A nation cannot prosper on the back of exploited workers. Fair compensation is both a moral duty and an economic necessity,” Okegbue added.
Looking ahead, the EAPEAN president said his administration would prioritize accountability and collaboration in implementing wage and labour policies. The association plans to establish a Compliance Monitoring Committee to regularly assess members’ adherence to the minimum wage and labour laws.
He called on employers across Nigeria to view fair pay not as a challenge but as a shared responsibility in building a prosperous society.
“The ₦70,000 minimum wage should be seen as a foundation for productivity, not a cost to be avoided. Employers must embrace it as part of our collective duty to workers and the nation,” he concluded.
Both Chief Okegbue and Mr. Ogunlowo reaffirmed their dedication to upholding decent work principles, promoting ethical employment, and ensuring strict compliance with the national minimum wage.
Through cooperation with local and international partners, EAPEAN aims to build a labour environment where every Nigerian worker is valued, protected, and fairly compensated.
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