Reps Propose N3,500 Daily Wage for Unskilled Labourers in Rural Areas

House of Representatives is proposing a bill seeking to promote sustainable rural development, reduce poverty, and enhance the livelihoods of Nigerians living in agrarian communities.

Titled “The National Integrated Rural Development Bill, 2025,” the proposed legislation aims to provide wage employment opportunities for unskilled labourers in rural areas, guaranteeing a daily wage of N3,500 for every employed adult household member.

Sponsored by Hon. Marcus Onobun, member representing Esan Central/Esan West/Igueben Federal Constituency of Edo State, the bill, which is awaiting its second reading on the floor of the Green Chamber, seeks to establish a legal and institutional framework to promote sustainable development across Nigeria’s rural regions.

The proposed law applies to all rural areas within Nigeria’s territorial boundaries as defined by relevant demographic and economic criteria.

Part III of the bill provides that every adult household in rural communities who volunteers for unskilled manual work through local development projects shall be guaranteed a minimum of 100 days of paid employment per fiscal year.

“The Agency shall ensure that every rural household, whose adult members volunteer to do unskilled manual work through local development projects, is guaranteed a minimum of 100 days of wage employment per fiscal year,” the bill states.

“Every employed adult household shall be entitled to a daily wage of N3,500 for each day of work.”

The legislation also proposes the creation of the National Integrated Rural Development Agency, which will oversee and coordinate the implementation of rural development programmes across the country. The Agency’s responsibilities will include monitoring and evaluating projects, promoting innovation and technology adoption, and facilitating collaboration among relevant ministries and stakeholders.

In a bid to ensure inclusivity, one-third of the employment opportunities under the proposed scheme will be reserved for women in rural communities.

The bill further outlines objectives such as reducing rural poverty, improving agricultural productivity, ensuring food security, and enhancing access to education, healthcare, and other essential social services.

The proposed law also recommends the establishment of a Governing Council for the Agency, with its Chairman to be appointed by the President on the recommendation of the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security.

Additionally, all revenues generated by the Agency will be exempted from income tax, while contributions to its fund will be tax-deductible.

Speaking on the significance of the bill, Hon. Onobun said it seeks to tackle one of Nigeria’s most persistent socio-economic challenges rural poverty.

“This bill aims to promote sustainable rural development across the nation by reducing poverty, improving infrastructure, and enhancing livelihoods through integrated and coordinated efforts,” he said.

Despite Nigeria’s vast natural and human resources, the country continues to struggle with widespread rural underdevelopment.

According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), about 63% of Nigerians roughly 133 million people were classified as multidimensionally poor as of 2024, with the highest rates recorded in the northern regions and conflict-prone parts of the Middle Belt.