Yemi Adaramodu, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, has dismissed reports suggesting that the Senate intends to include a clause in the New Minimum Wage Bill that would allow for the seizure of funds from states and local councils.

Adaramodu emphasized that the Senate has not yet deliberated on the bill, as it has not been submitted for review.

Addressing the media, Adaramodu clarified, “No one among us, not even the Senate President, knows the bill’s content. How can we take a position on a document we haven’t seen?” He refuted claims made by a national daily that suggested lawmakers were considering seizing statutory allocations from subnational entities that default on the new minimum wage requirements.

Adaramodu further explained that he never stated allocations belonging to states and local governments would be seized, underscoring that Nigeria operates as a federation with autonomous subnational governments. He urged the public to disregard the misleading headline, noting that the Senate is still awaiting the Executive Bill.

“Once we have it, it will go through all legislative stages. Only then, after receiving presidential consent, will it become law. Any sanctions specified in the law would be applicable, but they are not determined by the National Assembly,” he concluded.