Seventeen state governors have raised committees to implement the N70,000 new minimum wage for workers nationwide.
The states involved include Ogun, Ekiti, Sokoto, Kebbi, Osun, Enugu, Borno, Zamfara, Kogi, Kwara, Gombe, Kano, Taraba, Delta, Rivers, Jigawa, and Abia.
This development coincides with the Federal Government’s recent initiation of payments for the new minimum wage to its 1.2 million employees, starting last Thursday. The Accountant General of the Federation, Oluwatoyin Madein, confirmed that civil servants will receive the new wage effective from September.
Several states, including Edo, Lagos, and Adamawa, have already begun disbursing the new salary. Notably, Adamawa’s Governor Ahmadu Fintiri started payments as early as August, ahead of the federal rollout. Emmanuel Fashe, Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Adamawa, praised the governor’s prompt action, although he acknowledged delays in payments to local government workers due to adjustments in payroll calculations.
Anambra’s Governor Chukwuma Soludo has announced that his state will begin implementing the minimum wage in October, emphasizing a commitment to human development initiatives alongside the wage increase.
“From next month, we hope to start paying the new minimum wage of N70,000,” he stated during a meeting with educators in Awka.
Despite these positive developments, some labor officials have raised concerns about the adequacy of the new wage amid rising living costs. A senior NLC representative criticized the government for backdating the wage implementation to July instead of May, arguing that the value of the wage has been significantly diminished by inflation and increased prices of essential goods, such as rice.
In various states, governors have expressed their intentions to comply with the new wage structure.
The Imo State NLC Chairman, Uche Chigamezu, confirmed discussions with Governor Hope Uzodimma regarding the new wage implementation. Meanwhile, the Nasarawa State government has pledged to follow the Federal Government’s example, ensuring worker welfare remains a priority.
The Ogun State government is currently awaiting the findings of its implementation committee, while Ekiti’s Commissioner for Information has assured that workers’ interests will be well taken care of, pending the committee’s deliberations.
In contrast, Delta and Bayelsa states have yet to provide clarity on their payment plans. Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta stated that the government is cautious to avoid errors in the wage calculation. Bayelsa’s Governor Douye Diri indicated plans to establish a committee but has not released further details.
In Benue State, uncertainty remains as workers await updates from Governor Hyacinth Alia, who has not yet formed an implementation committee.
On a hopeful note, Sokoto and Kebbi governors have reassured their workers of forthcoming payments, while the Enugu State government is similarly awaiting committee reports for guidance on implementation.
As the NLC continues to advocate for timely wage payments and the protection of workers’ rights, the ongoing discussions and actions from various state governments will be crucial in shaping the economic landscape for Nigerian workers in the coming months.
