Six months after President Bola Tinubu approved an increase in the minimum wage for Nigerian workers from ₦30,000 to ₦70,000, the implementation has seen varying responses across states. While some governors have adopted the new wage, others are yet to comply.
Although the implementation of new pay across states has been gradual, however, a few governors have pledged to meet the ₦70,000 minimum wage, while others have gone beyond the federal government benchmark, committing to pay amounts higher than ₦70,000.
In this analysis, the New Daily Prime lists the governors ( 18)who announced plans and commenced the payment of new minimum wage above ₦70,000.They are:
Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo State)
In October, Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa approved a new minimum wage of ₦73,000 for state government workers. The implementation begins in November.
The governor emphasised his administration’s dedication to workers’ welfare and described the increase as a crucial step towards improving the quality of life for the state’s workforce.
Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos State)
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu announced on October 16 a new minimum wage of ₦85,000, with further plans to raise it to ₦100,000 by January 2025. His pronouncement was made during an interview on Channels TV
Siminalayi Fubara (Rivers State)
On October 18, Governor Siminalayi Fubara approved ₦85,000 as the new minimum wage for Rivers State civil servants. The decision was reached after a meeting with organised labour representatives, with implementation set for November.
Peter Mbah (Enugu State)
Governor Peter Mbah approved a ₦80,000 minimum wage on October 24. He linked the initiative to his administration’s vision of growing the state’s economy from $4.4 billion to $30 billion.
Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom State)
On November 10, Akwa Ibom Governor Umo Eno announced a minimum wage of ₦80,000 for the state’s public servants. He said implementation will follow a verification exercise to be completed within a month.
Mohammed Bago (Niger State)
Governor Mohammed Bago approved ₦80,000 as the new minimum wage for both state and local government workers on October 27, with implementation beginning last month.
Dapo Abiodun (Ogun State)
Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun announced a new minimum wage of ₦77,000 on October 14. This decision followed a meeting with organised labour, with immediate effect for implementation.
Nasir Idris (Kebbi State)
On October 23, Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris okayed ₦75,000 as the new minimum wage for state civil servants, which was implemented within 72 hours.
Usman Ododo (Kogi State)
Governor Usman Ododo approved a minimum wage of ₦72,500 for Kogi civil servants on October 7, with immediate effect.
Muhammad Yahaya (Gombe State)
In the same vein, Gombe State Governor Muhammad Yahaya approved a minimum wage of ₦71,500, effective from October, following a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)signed with the Nigeria Labour Congress(NLC).
Douye Diri (Bayelsa State)
Governor Douye Diri approved ₦80,000 as the minimum wage for Bayelsa State workers in October, with a November l,2024 implementation date November 1.
He also increased pension benefits and allocated ₦7 billion for gratuity payments.
Francis Nwifuru (Ebonyi State)
Ebonyi Governor Francis Nwifuru approved a minimum wage of ₦75,000 in October, citing economic realities as the basis for the increase.
Abba Yusuf (Kano State)
Governor Abba Yusuf announced ₦71,000 as the minimum wage for Kano State workers in October, with its implementation commencing in November,2024
Uba Sani (Kaduna State)
Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani approved ₦72,000 as the new minimum wage in October, aligning with his commitment to improving workers’ welfare.
Seyi Makinde (Oyo State)
In November, Governor Seyi Makinde endorsed ₦80,000 as the minimum wage for Oyo State workers, pending completion of consequential adjustments by a government-labour committee.
Ademola Adeleke (Osun State)
Osun Governor Ademola Adeleke announced a new minimum wage of ₦75,000 in November, set to take effect on December 1.
Abdullahi Sule (Nasarawa State)
Governor Abdullahi Sule approved ₦70,500 as the minimum wage for Nasarawa civil servants, following recommendations by a state committee.
Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta State)
The Delta State Government announced the payment of ₦77,500 as the new minimum wage, starting at the end of November.
Hyacinth Alia (Benue State)
Benue Governor Hyacinth Alia approved a ₦75,000 minimum wage, effective from November, to address the economic needs of civil servants.
