Following the ongoing review of the minimum wage by federal lawmakers, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, has said Nigerians will get a ‘survival wage’ that could take them home.
Abbas stated this at a National Policy Dialogue on corruption, social norms and behavioural change in Nigeria, organised by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, in collaboration with the Anti-Corruption Academy of Nigeria, and support from the MacArthur Foundation, held at the ICPC’s headquarters in Abuja.
Abbas, who was represented by a member of the House of Representatives, Busayo Oluwole-Oke, representing Obokun/Oriade Federal Constituency said: “We must acknowledge that there are other factors that influence the attitude or action of citizens to indulge in corruption. For instance, the question around a survival wage system is a big factor. A situation where the take home pay of a large segment of the population is unable to take them home is a recipe for all manner of corruption.
“This is why the House of Representatives is particularly interested in the ongoing review of minimum wage in the country. The House this time around will ensure that Nigerians get a survival wage that could take them home”.
Abbas further stated that corruption had impeded the country’s ability to reach its full potential, highlighting many factors that have fuelled corruption in the country.
He said: “Corruption in Nigeria has been fuelled by various factors, including weak governance structures, lack of transparency and accountability, poverty, and cultural acceptance of corrupt practices.
“In many cases, corrupt practices have become normalized within Nigerian society, making it challenging to eradicate them solely through legal means. Therefore, understanding and changing social norms becomes crucial to combating corruption effectively”.
Credit: vanguardngr.com
