The Yobe State Government has officially agreed to implement the new national minimum wage of N70,000 for all civil servants, pensioners, and those on special salary structures, starting in December 2024.
This decision follows extensive negotiations between the state government and organised labor, led by the NLC (Nigeria Labour Congress) in the state.
The agreement was announced by Baba Wali, the Secretary to the State Government and Chairman of the N70,000 Minimum Wage Committee, who revealed that after discussions, the committee recommended the wage increase, which was subsequently approved by Governor Mai Mala Buni.
The signing ceremony, which took place in Damaturu, was attended by key government officials, including the Head of Civil Service (represented by Dr. Bukar Kilo), Permanent Secretary of Public Service Shaibu Ibrahim Amshi, and the Accountant General, Mohammed Alkali Dinkiri.
Labour leaders, including the Yobe State NLC Chairman, Comrade Muktar Musa Tarbutu, also participated in the event.
Comrade Tarbutu assured workers that, thanks to the agreement with the state government, the Yobe State NLC would not be participating in the nationwide strike called by the NLC’s national body.
He emphasised that while local government employees were initially included in the new wage structure, some unresolved issues with certain local governments have led to a temporary postponement for further review.
The NLC leader expressed confidence that the state government would honor its commitment to workers’ welfare and urged civil servants to continue with their duties.
This agreement comes after the state government had earlier refuted false claims circulating on social media about the immediate implementation of the new minimum wage, clarifying that payments had not yet commenced.
The decision to form a 10-member committee in October 2024 to oversee the wage implementation was a part of the state’s ongoing efforts to address the new national minimum wage, approved by the Federal Government earlier this year.
Yobe State’s commitment to implementing the new wage aligns with other states, like Osun, which have also begun preparing for the rollout of the revised minimum wage.
However, Yobe’s unique resolution avoids participation in the NLC’s strike, thanks to the agreement reached with local labor representatives.
