Amid minimum wage controversy, Police get new salary structure

While the Federal Government is yet to finalise the new minimum wage structure unanimously proposed by Nigerian labour unions, the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration has approved a new salary package for police personnel in the country.

Under the president’s approved rank salary structure adjustment, salaries, allowances and pensions of policemen would be increased.

President Buhari made this disclosure in the State House, Abuja, with members of the Nigeria Police Service Commission.

According to Buhari, the inability of the police in their constitutional role as the frontline force in the prevention of crime had led to military involvement in the maintenance of law and order across the country.

“From Taraba to Sokoto, to the South-South, people don’t feel secure until they see the military.

“I am pleased to make the increase in salary and allowances in the hope that it will increase the performance index of the police and strengthen Nigeria’s internal security system.” – Buhari

Nairametrics had reported that governors under the auspices of Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), unanimously maintained that they can only pay the N30,000 proposed new minimum wage only if the organised labour agree to a nationwide downsizing of the country’s workforce.

Prior to This 

President Muhammadu Buhari, in November last year, inaugurated the National Wage Committee led by former minister and Head of Service, Ama Pepple.

During the 40th anniversary of NLC in Abuja, the minister had stated that the new minimum wage would commence before the end of September, this year. He later backtracked, because the state governors were yet to submit their proposal on a new wage system.

In order to mount pressure on the Federal Government, the NLC gave a two-week ultimatum and then commenced a nationwide strike. 

The minimum wage was last increased by the Goodluck Jonathan administration in 2011 from ₦7,500 to ₦18,000.