Minimum wage increment gathers momentum as state governors work the talk. Akwa Ibom and Kebbi states are the latest on the list.
Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State has announced a new salary package of ₦80,000 for all state government employees. This decision reflects the state’s commitment to improving worker welfare.
The announcement came in a press release signed by the Commissioner for Information, Ini Ememobong, on Wednesday.
To facilitate this change, the governor has formed an implementation committee. This 16-member committee, chaired by the Head of the Civil Service, will explore how to execute the new minimum wage policy. The committee has one month to deliver its report.
Kebbi governor signs minimum wage edict
Similarly, the Kebbi State government also announced its readiness to pay N75.000 to its workers. Governor Nasir Idris approved the new wage for the lowest-paid civil servants. He signed the state minimum wage edict into law in the presence of national officials from the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), led by President Joe Ajaero. The NLC officials expressed satisfaction with the excercise.
Governor Idris has been a strong advocate for the new minimum wage. While many state governors claimed they could not afford the increase, he insisted that they could implement it. This determination highlights a growing focus on improving workers’ pay across Nigeria.
This decision by state governors to increase salaries follows President Bola Tinubu’s approval of a new minimum wage increase for Nigerian workers. The federal rose from ₦30,000 to ₦70,000. However, the rollout of this new wage schedule has been slow across various states.
Lagos , Rivers, pay highest
The highest minimum wage announced by any Nigerian state so far is ₦85,000, implemented by both Lagos and Rivers states. Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu announced the increase on October 16, 2024, aiming to address the high living costs in the state, with plans to potentially raise it further to ₦100,000 by January 2025. Rivers State followed suit on October 18, 2024, with Governor Siminalayi Fubara approving the same amount for state civil servants .
Other states have also raised their minimum wages above the federal level of ₦70,000, including Ogun (₦77,000), Ondo (₦73,000), and Gombe (₦71,451.15).
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