Mmesoma Christophine 
The Nigeria Government increased minimum wage.
The Federal Government of Nigeria, on July 2024 increased the monthly minimum wage from #30,000 to #70,000. The increase is to improve the welfare of the citizen because of the high cost of living.
Rivers state has increased theirs to #85, 000 and Ogun state increased theirs to #77,000. Some are yet to implement this new policy.
As a result of increased consumer spending power and challenges of businesses in meeting payroll obligations, affecting states with lower revenue allocations the Government proposed to increase minimum wage to relieve the people and to improve the cost of living.
Governor Bola Mohammed of Bauchi state, on Wednesday, November 20 during the State Executive Council meeting which took place at the Government House in Bauchi state said his administration will initiate the payment of the mew national minimum wage in November 2024.
The National Bureau of Statistics, reported that Bauchi state is among those with high poverty rate. The Governor assured retired civil servants that his administration is working towards the gratuities owed to them.
He also stated his commitment in improving his governance, focusing on projects that has tangible impact on the lives Bauchi people.
Due to the implementation of the new national minimum wage and consequential adjustments in federal workers’ salary the MTEF budgeted #6.5tn as personal expenditure in 2025 to secure the payment of minimum wage.
Dr. Law Mefor, the Anambra State Commissioner for Information described Governor Chukwuma Soludo labor friendly for being among the first set of Governor to implement the payment of new minimum wage of #70,000 since October 2024. Anambra state has been captured among the state the Governor have shown interest in implement this new policy.
Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo also adjusted pension for pensioners in Anambra state and make sure every civil servant receive salary alert on or before the 25th of every month.
The new minimum wage became a law since July it has been a subject of intense debate and controversy among the 36 Governors.
The Nigeria Labor Congress has announced December 2 as the deadline for all the states to comply or face strike, as usual, Labor describes the defaulting states as ‘’insensitive to the plight of workers’’ because Nigeria workers face hardship.
Nyeson Wike, The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory [FCT, has authorized the immediste payment of #70,000 minimum wage to all FCT administration staff.
This development follows the signing of the new Minimum Wage Bill into Law by President Bola Tinubu in May 2024. The approval comes amidst pressure from the Labor unions, including FCT chapters of Nigeria Labor Congress [NLC] and the Trade Union Congress [TUC], which has threaten to embark on strike over delayed implementation.
Alex Otti Abia state Governor. Said he inherited debt of #191.2 billion from his predecessor, yet he is committed to pay the #70,000 benchmark
The strength of the NLC’s December 1 deadline les in its capacity to stand by its word and pressure the Governors to implement the policy.
The NLC should bring private sector, a significant portion of its membership with more workers than the public sector, into the minimum wage intervention net. No worker should be left behind as all Nigeria workers deserve a dignified life.
PUNCH reported that 12 states have not implement the #30, 000 minimum of 2019. According to the Nigerian Union of Teachers, some states did not even implement the #18,000 minimum wage approved in 2011 and nine states did not implement it in full for primary school teachers.
The NLC must not allow these states to violate the 2024 Minimum Wage Act the way they did before.
Mrs Grace Adayilo the Acting Head of the FCT Civil Service revealed the payment of three months arrears effective from November 2024 by Wike.
Labor Leaders and civil servants across the FCT have welcome the announcement, expressing optimism above its positive impact 0n stall morale and productivity.
Benson Upah, The NLC Head of Protocol and Public Relation had given state governments an ultimatum of December 1, 2024 to implement the new wage.
The Sokoto State Government met the state chapter of the NLC and urge the representatives to submit its proposal for wage adjustment.
Aihaji Idris Gabir, the Deputy Governor of Sokoto state made this known during the meeting. ‘’Go and bring your proposal for the new wage implementation and I assure you that I will facilitate the process of quick harmonization’’ Gabir said.
Abdllahi Jungul, the Sokoto NLC cb hairman, urged civil servants to remain calm, assuring them that the union would submit its proposal promptly.
Zamfra State Government announced that it would soon commence the payment of the new wage after the ongoing verification of the workers in the state.
That the delay was as a result of the activities of ghost workers also the state also failed to implement the 2019 #30,000 previous wage under the former Governor, Bello Matawalle.
The Governor of Taraba State, Dr. Agbu Kefas, Plateau state Governir Caleb Mutfuang, and The Executive Governor of Yobe state, Mai Mala Buni approved the immediate implementation of the wage for workers in the states.
The NLC maintained its ultimatum of state governors to implement the new #70,000 wage. They have warned that no extension will be granted. ‘’yes, the ultimatum still stands, nothing has changed’’ said The NLC Head of Protocol and Public Relation, Benson Upah.
Some part of the country may not begin the festive season of this year in its usual way, in fact, this year’s festivity will kick off in a very unusual way, with a protest if the state government fail to implement the new policy by December 1.
After the Public Service Negotiation, Gov. Ademola Adeleke approved the new wage to be #75,000 in Osun state and Makinde, Oyo State Governor approved #80,000 salary for workers in the state.
According to the state branch of the NLC Kastina branch, the likely strike complies with the directives from the NLC’s Executive Council [NEC] at the last meeting in Port Harcourt, Rivers state.
On November 24, Hussin Hamisu, NLC Chairman for Kastima state expressed concern over the delay in negotiations with the state government regarding the arrears for the new wage.
In Cross Rivers State, negotiations between the government and the workers are ongoing with no resolution yet in sight.
In Imo State, the government has remained silent on the issue while in Osun state the new wage committee is yet to finale any package for the workers.
Tommy Etim, The National Vice President of the Trade Union Congress [TUC] said the union is closely observing the development across state to ensure compliance.
‘’State government must act swiftly to avoid industrial action. The rising inflation leaves no room for the delays in implementing the new wage.’’ Etim said.
Akinlayo Kolawole, a member of the House of Representative has called in state governors yet to implement the new wage in their states not to hesitate to do so to ease the suffering of the suffering of the people.
The lawmaker representing Ekiti state North Federal Consistency II in the National Assembly, in a statement made available in Ado Ekiti said, ‘’ it is necessary for other state government who are yet to implement other policies and programs with human faces.
Apart from being a matter of law, implementation of the new wage in the country has become a necessity in the country especially the skyrocketing increase in the prices of food items and other commodities.
Governor Bssey Otu of Cross River has appealed to the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress [TUC] to shelve the planned strike over non-implementation of the wage in the state but they maintained their stand declaring December 1 the deadline for the implementation of the new wage and no extension will be granted.
