Following President Bola Tinubu’s signing of the N70,000 Minimum Wage Law, some state governors have established committees to implement the new wage. Meanwhile, other governors are waiting for the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) to take a position, with some asserting they can meet the new wage without laying off workers,leadership reports.
In Kwara State, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has approved the formation of a tripartite committee to determine the consequential adjustments for other worker categories. “This is necessitated by the new national minimum wage set at N70,000, requiring adjustments for senior workers,” said the governor’s chief press secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye. The committee includes representatives from the state government, labor centers, and the organized private sector, chaired by the Head of Service and co-chaired by the Commissioner for Finance.
In Plateau State, Commissioner for Information and Communication, Hon. Musa Ashoms, stated that the state is evaluating its financial status to determine its ability to pay the new minimum wage. He mentioned that while the state currently spends N2.9 billion monthly on salaries, increasing the minimum wage to N70,000 would raise the cost to N5.9 billion monthly. With a monthly allocation of N7 billion from the federation account, the state would be left with only N2 billion for other expenses, without considering retrenchment.
ALSO READ: My gov’t executing bold reforms to tackle economic challenges – Tinubu
Imo State, represented by Commissioner for Information Hon. Declan Emelumba, expressed readiness to pay the N70,000 wage and has mechanisms in place to secure the necessary funds. Emelumba emphasized the government’s commitment to motivating workers rather than retrenching them.
In Zamfara State, the decision to adopt the new minimum wage will be made after a meeting of the state governors. The director-general of media and communications, Malam Nuhu Salihu Anka, noted that Zamfara recently adopted the N30,000 minimum wage and started payments in June. He highlighted that the decision on the N70,000 wage would come after further discussions among the governors.
Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris stated that the state is waiting for guidance from the Nigeria Governors’ Forum on the new wage implementation. He assured workers of his readiness to comply with federal decisions, noting that the state might need additional federal support if the new wage is implemented.
Ekiti State government has also expressed readiness to pay the new wage. Information Commissioner Hon. Taiwo Olatunbosun assured that Governor Biodun Oyebanji is committed to the welfare of workers and the state’s population. Olatunbosun mentioned ongoing discussions among stakeholders to secure resources without overburdening the people, emphasizing efforts to attract investment and develop the state’s economy, particularly in agriculture.
Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas declared his readiness to pay any salary determined by the federal government for civil servants, demonstrating a commitment to comply with national wage decisions.
