President Bola Tinubu announced on Thursday that he has approved a new minimum wage of ₦70,000, and also pledged to conduct a review of the national minimum wage law every three years to ensure it remains fair and effective.
However, there are indications that some states may be dragging their feet on implementing the agreed-upon minimum wage hike.
While some states are choosing to engage in further deliberations, others are taking a cautious stance, waiting to observe the moves of other states before making their own decision.
The following states have given their consent to implement the newly approved minimum wage of ₦70,000:
– Osun State
The Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, vowed that his government would not default on paying the approved ₦70,000 minimum wage to civil servants.
– Benue State
Benue State has also pledged to pay the new minimum wage. Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to Benue State Governor, Sir Kulas Tersoo, mentioned that Governor Hyacinth Alia had increased the salaries of Benue workers upon assuming office as part of his campaign promises.
– Akwa Ibom State
The Akwa Ibom State Government expressed its readiness to pay the new minimum wage of ₦70,000. Governor Umo Eno affirmed that the state government would abide by the agreement reached between organized labour and the federal government.
– Enugu State
The Enugu State government announced that Governor Peter Mbah is committed to making state and local government workers happy with the new ₦70,000 minimum wage. A senior aide of the governor, speaking on condition of anonymity, indicated that the state executive council would meet to determine how Enugu State would adjust to the new wage.
– Oyo State
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, stated that his government would not have issues with paying the approved ₦70,000 minimum wage. He noted that his administration has been paying ₦55,000 to all civil servants in the state since October 2023.
– Borno State
Governor Babagana Umara Zulum told the Borno Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) that he is commited to implementing the new minimum wage of N70,000. Borno NLC Chairman, Inuwa Yusuf, revealed this in an interview with the Nigerian Tribune in Maiduguri on Sunday.
Other states are awaiting the collective decision of the Nigerian Governors Forum before deciding whether to implement the new wage.
But, Joint Labour Unions have announced that any state that fails to comply with the N70K minimum wage will face a shutdown.
President of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) in Osun State, Christopher Arapasopo, in an interview, said that during its NEC meeting, all members agreed to enforce the minimum wage across all states.
He stated, “The governors would never say they were not there when it was agreed. In fact, they were the ones agitating for ₦70,000 as the minimum wage. We, as labour, suggested ₦250,000 and they brought it down to ₦62,000 before shifting ground to ₦70,000, and we accepted it.
“We have sacrificed a lot of things. So, for any government or governor that fails to pay, we will shut that state down. It is a must for them to pay. It is a no-go area. We are not negotiating that.”
