Minimum Wage: Panic In Ekiti, Sokoto, Other States Over NLC Strike Notice

Tensions are rising among states that have yet to implement the ₦70,000 minimum wage, following the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC)’s announcement of a December 1 strike for workers in non-compliant states.

Naija News gathered that as at late October, 24 states had not begun implementation despite the Federal Government’s assurance of support for the measure.

On October 17, the government, through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), pledged to convene an economic council meeting to urge governors to enforce the new wage law, signed by President Bola Tinubu in August.

However, only 12 states out of 36 had implemented it by the end of October. These include Edo, Anambra, Adamawa, Ogun, Delta, Ebonyi, Abia, Kebbi, Kogi, Borno, Gombe, and Jigawa.

States Implementing the New Minimum Wage:

The states actively paying the new minimum wage include Edo, Anambra, Adamawa, Ogun, Delta, Ebonyi, Abia, Kebbi, Kogi, Borno, Gombe, and Jigawa.

Anambra, although yet to complete its full implementation, added ₦40,000 to October salaries pending final templates.

Other states like Lagos, Ondo, Bayelsa, Kano, Niger, and Kaduna have committed to implementing it by November, while Osun, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Enugu, and Imo have not announced any start date.

Meanwhile, Ekiti, Sokoto, Benue, Bauchi, Plateau, Zamfara, Nasarawa, Taraba, Yobe, and Katsina remain silent on the ₦70,000 wage.

Ondo State

Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa assured workers in Ondo State that the promised ₦73,000 minimum wage would commence in November. He stated that this decision reflected the government’s commitment to the welfare of its workforce.

Osun State

Osun State is still negotiating with labour unions on the exact amount, with a committee led by Chief of Staff Kazeem Akinleye tasked with recommending a suitable consequential adjustment for the minimum wage.

Ogun State

In Ogun, although Governor Dapo Abiodun approved a ₦77,000 minimum wage, workers report only receiving an additional ₦42,000 as of October, with assurances from the governor’s media adviser that negotiations are ongoing.

Ekiti State

NLC Chairperson in Ekiti, Kolapo Joshua, indicated that while the state aims to pay at least ₦70,000, the final figure is yet to be announced.

Oyo State

Oyo has approved an ₦80,000 minimum wage but has yet to set an implementation date, pending consequential adjustments by a committee of government and labour representatives.

Lagos State

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu approved ₦85,000 for Lagos workers, set to be implemented from November, with the Joint Negotiating Council confirming this decision.

South-South States:

In the South-South region, Edo and Delta have started paying the new minimum wage. Edo pays ₦70,000, while Delta recently implemented a ₦77,500 wage. Although Rivers has approved ₦85,000 and Akwa Ibom ₦80,000, neither has commenced payment. Bayelsa committed to begin paying ₦80,000 by November 1, while Cross River is still in negotiations.

Edo and Delta States

Edo initiated ₦70,000 payments after former Governor Obaseki’s announcement in May. Delta began paying ₦77,500 in October, extending this to local government workers as well.

Akwa Ibom State

Governor Umo Eno has announced an ₦80,000 wage, with an implementation committee yet to set a start date.

Rivers State

Rivers has approved ₦85,000 for civil servants, with Governor Siminalayi Fubara promising full implementation soon.

Cross River

Cross River, currently paying ₦40,000, has yet to conclude negotiations on the ₦70,000 rate.

South-East States:

In the South-East, Ebonyi is already paying ₦75,000, Abia has implemented the minimum wage, and Enugu offers ₦80,000. Imo has agreed to the new wage but is working out payment logistics with labour.

Kano State

In Kano, the government plans to pay ₦71,000 starting in November, while Niger has approved an ₦80,000 minimum wage, though it remains unclear if arrears will be covered.

Kaduna State

Kaduna State, under Governor Uba Sani, has committed to paying ₦72,000, exceeding the national minimum wage by ₦2,000.

Kebbi State

Kebbi began payments of ₦75,000 in October, with Governor Nasir Idris also directing local governments to follow suit.

Kogi State

Kogi started paying a ₦72,500 minimum wage as of October.

Borno State

In Borno, Governor Babagana Zulum has implemented a ₦77,000 wage for civil servants as of October.

Jigawa State

Jigawa started paying the new wage on November 1, with employees celebrating the increase.

Additional States:

In Nasarawa, Governor Abdullahi Sule has approved the ₦70,000 wage, though the start date remains undecided. Kwara began paying the new wage in October, though the adjustment did not include parastatal employees due to ongoing data processes.

Gombe State

Gombe implemented the wage increase in October.

Meanwhile, civil servants in Sokoto, Benue, Bauchi, Plateau, Zamfara, Yobe, and Taraba still await clarity, as these states have not addressed the matter publicly.

Labour’s Response and Strike Threat

The NLC has issued a stern warning to states lagging behind on the wage increase.

The NLC has demanded that any outstanding issues be resolved by November’s end, threatening indefinite strikes in non-compliant states from December 1.

An NLC official told Vanguard yesterday that “organised labour, especially the NLC, is eagerly waiting for December 1 to take on recalcitrant states.

“We want to use this medium to sound a very serious warning to states that do not want to pay. In fact, they do not have a choice. The earlier they conclude arrangements and start implementing, the better for them.

“It is a law and all of them are enjoying improved revenue from removal of fuel subsidy, among others.

“From our records, only about 12 states are implementing, while about six other states promised to pay in November. It is not about promises; it is about action by implementation. Mind you, the state must fully implement, not partial implementation.

“It is not about paying state public workers and not extending payment to local government employees. Once we get report of no compliance, we shall descend on such a state.”

Similarly, NLC President Joe Ajaero has condemned delays, calling them a “blatant disregard” of workers’ rights amidst escalating economic challenges.

He announced a Minimum Wage Implementation Committee to ensure full enforcement and warned that industrial actions will persist until all states comply.

Following the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, NLC President Joe Ajaero, in a formal communiqué, expressed: “The NEC notes with deep frustration the persistent delay and outright refusal by some state governments to implement the 2024 National Minimum Wage Act.

“This betrayal by certain governors and government officials across the country flies in the face of both legality and morality, as workers continue to be denied their rightful wages amid rising economic hardship.

‘’It is a blatant disregard for the law and the lives of millions of Nigerian workers who are being exploited by the very leaders who swore to protect them.

“The NEC, therefore, resolves to set up a National Minimum Wage Implementation Committee that will, among others, commence a nationwide assessment, mobilization and sensitization campaign, educating workers and citizens on the need to resist this assault on their dignity and rights.

“Furthermore, the NLC shall initiate a series of industrial actions in all non-compliant states and shall not relent until the minimum wage is fully implemented across Nigeria. To this end, all state councils where the national minimum wage has not been fully implemented by the last day of November, 2024, have been directed to proceed on strike, beginning from the 1st day of December, 2024. Nigerian workers demand justice, and justice they shall have.”

With the December 1 deadline looming, Nigerian workers are prepared for action, underscoring their demand for justice and fair pay.