In spite of the recent agreement between the Federal Government, Labour, and the Organised Private Sector (OPS) to fix the new minimum wage at ₦70,000, many states appear hesitant to commit to the new wage standard.
Several states have expressed the need for further consultations before making a decision, while others are waiting to see the actions of their counterparts before deciding on the next steps.
For instance, in Delta State, the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Kingsley Emu, described the decision on wage increment as “a complex situation requiring a complex resolution” and expressed confidence that the state governor, Sheriff Francis Oborevwori, would make an appropriate decision.
The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) is also reviewing its individual fiscal capacities to determine what each state can sustainably pay.
They have acknowledged various wage awards and partial adjustments recently adopted, but the tripartite committee on the National Minimum Wage is still in consultation and has yet to conclude its work.
The governors have pledged to support the effective implementation of a fair minimum wage once the consultations are completed.
Despite the agreement reached at the federal level, the implementation of the new minimum wage across all states remains uncertain, as state governments continue to assess their financial capabilities and the potential impact on their budgets.
Emu in his statement, said, “I cannot speak for Delta State whether we are able to pay or not. My business is to advise, because what goes into that consideration is numerous. It is not spontaneous, it is not emotive, it is practical.
“How are you going to do the roads or the people who do not have the opportunity to earn a living? It is a complex situation that requires a complex resolution. It requires multi-dimensional skills to resolve.
“I am sure the NGF will be able to speak for themselves, and we saw the last wage increase when some states were able to pay N30,000 and others could not. We are likely going to see that situation again.”
The federal government, he said, should focus on the real value of the naira rather than salary increase, noting that states with high wage bills cannot cope with the new wage increase; otherwise, resources meant for development will be diverted to paying only salaries.
Delta State Commissioner for Information, Dr Ifeanyi Osouza, however, assured that Delta being a labour-friendly state would not take the back seat in the matter once the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) takes a decision.
Osouza said: “The President just reached an agreement with Labour yesterday. The FG is yet to come up with when the new minimum wage will take effect.
“Besides, the governors at their level are yet to take a position on this matter. But I can assure you that Delta, as a labour-friendly state, will not take the back seat in this matter.
“Recall that Delta State was one of the first states in the country to implement the 30,000 minimum wage in 2019.
“You can rest assured that our governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, is committed to the welfare of workers in the state.”
Imo waits for lead from other states
Imo State Commissioner for Labour, Ford Ozumba, in a chat with The Nation said the state government will pay the new ₦70,000 minimum wage only if other states adjust to the new wage bill.
“If other states will adjust to pay the new minimum wage, Imo State will do same,” Ozumba told The Nation yesterday.
Although he declined to disclose the minimum wage being paid to Imo workers, Ozumba assured that the state government would not lag behind other states in implementing the new minimum wage.
It was gathered that Imo State had been paying its workers a minimum of ₦40,000 as against the official ₦30,000 before the recent industrial dispute between organised labour and the federal government.
Ebonyi awaits result of the consultations
Ebonyi State Government said it would await the outcome of ongoing consultations before taking a decision on the new minimum wage.
The Commissioner for Information, Jude Okpor, who stated this yesterday, noted that states have varying financial capabilities.
He said: “You will agree with me that the financial capabilities of states vary; same as the different tiers of government.
“Ebonyi State, as one of the federating units in the country, will await the result of the ongoing consultation with the critical stakeholders in the comity of states before coming up with an official position.”
The commissioner, however, described the state governor, Francis Nwifuru, as a worker-friendly governor who would always strive to make them happy.
“Ebonyi State, under the leadership of His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Bldr Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, has improved on the remuneration of workers in the state as inherited from the immediate past administration by approving the payment of additional ₦20,000 to all civil servants in the state.
“Workers in the state have been enjoying this increment since the inception of this administration,” he said.
Rivers yet to make position known on minimum wage
The Rivers State Government yesterday promised to make its position on the new N70,000 minimum wage known to members of the public.
The government, in a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Nelson Chukwudi, denied a report that the state governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, promised to pay civil servants in the state ₦80,000 as minimum wage.
“The Rivers State Government will make its position on the issue known in due course,” the statement said.
Describing the report as fake news, the statement said its response was meant to correct the impression it would have created in the minds of the public, especially civil servants in the state.
“The general public, particularly civil servants in the state are advised to discountenance the false claims in the online media platform,” it said.
Kano studying agreement
The Kano State Government said yesterday that it was studying the agreement reached between Labour and the Federal Government on the new minimum wage before coming out with a concrete position. The state government currently pays N30,000 as minimum wage to its workers.
“Kano will study the agreement (between the federal government and labour) and come up with a position,” the state’s Commissioner for Information, Baba Dantiye, told The Nation. The commissioner added that the state does not owe its civil servants any monthly salaries.
Osun won’t default payment of new wage, says Gov Adeleke
The Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, vowed yesterday that his government would not default on payment of the approved ₦70,000 minimum wage to civil servants.
Speaking to The Nation through his Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Barrister Kolapo Alimi, the governor said that workers’ welfare is at the top of his government’s agenda.
Alimi said: “Our governor is a lover of workers. His first agenda is to prioritise the welfare of workers, both active and non-active.
“Governor Ademola Adeleke will not be among the defaulters of the new minimum wage. Osun State will never deviate from the law on minimum wage.
“Governor Ademola Adeleke will key into it.”
Abia govt to meet with economic team
Abia State governor, Dr. Alex Otti, will be meeting with the state’s economic team to review the new federal government-approved minimum wage.
The Chief Press Secretary disclosed this to the governor, Mr Ukoha Njoku Ukoha, in an interview with The Nation.
According to Ukoha, the state government received the news of the new minimum wage like every other Nigerian.
He said that the governor, with the state’s Accountant General and the Commissioner for Finance, would review the new minimum wage.
Abia is one of the states in the country that could not pay the ₦30,000 that was previously the minimum wage.
It was gathered that the previous administration was paying the sum of ₦20,100, which includes transportation and other allowances, as against the approved ₦30,000 minimum wage.
The governor of the state had during his meeting with the two workers’ unions, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) at the weekend, estimated salary arrears accruing to workers at about ₦15.5bn.
The governor, who stated that he was going to apply for virement from the Abia State House of Assembly, assured the labour unions that he was going to pay the arrears in tranches.
Benue vows to pay new minimum wage
In an interview with the platform, the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to Benue State Governor, Sir Kulas Tersoo, recalled that Governor Hyacinth Alia, on assumption of office, increased the salaries of Benue workers because it was part of his campaign promises. He recalled that Governor Alia met poor civil servants neglected by previous administrations when he assumed office and had taken up the challenge to boost their morale though prompt payment of salaries, pensions and other incentives.
“We shall not have problem paying the new minimum wage. We shall sit round the table with Labour and sort out grey areas once the bill is passed into law.
“But so far, the Governor has done more than ₦70,000,” said Tersoo. The Nation learnt that Benue State civil servants are currently enjoying the ₦30,000 national minimum wage.
Fate of Adamawa workers uncertain
Governor Ahmadu Fintiri’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr Humwashi Wonosikou, told our correspondent yesterday that the governor had not expressed his mind on the new minimum wage.
The Adamawa State Government currently pays ₦32,000 minimum wage and the state’s workers are not owed.
But while the government has not defaulted in the minimum wage payment in the last five years, the readiness of the state for the newly pegged ₦70,000 was uncertain as at yesterday.
“Right now, I cannot speak on the matter because His Excellency, Governor Ahmaduu Umaru Fintiri, who is currently not in town, has not addressed it to my knowledge,” Wonosikou said in a brief telephone interview.
He said he supposed that the 36 state governors as a collective might need to hold a meeting specifically to address the new development before they might take a definite stand.
We’ll pay whatever governors agree on, says Sule
Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule says the state has since implemented the ₦30,000 minimum wage approved by former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019 and is ready to pay whatever amount is agreed on by governors.
Governor Sule told our correspondent that his administration did not just adhere to the ₦30,000 minimum wage on assuming office but equally implemented promotions, gratuities and other benefits for its workers since then.
He explained further that his administration has placed high priority on the welfare of workers, adding that he will pay whatever is agreed on by all the governors.
The governor explained that the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Governor of Kwara State is already handling that on behalf of all the governors, and once they arrive at a decision, it will be implemented in Nasarawa State.
Kwara govt mum on new minimum wage
On the recent agreement of ₦70,000 minimum wage between organised labour and the Federal Government, Governor AbdulRaman AbdulRazaq-led administration has yet to make any comment.
Government officials did not respond to enquiries made by our correspondent yesterday.
Chief Press Secretary to Governor AbdulRazaq, Rafiu Ajakaye, did not respond to WhatsApp message enquiries.
The state chair of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Olayinka Onikijipa, is however confident that once the bill is passed into law by the National Assembly, the state government would abide by the law.
“Please don’t be in a hurry. When we get to the bridge, we will cross it,” Onikijipa said.
The Kwara State Government has for more than one year been paying ₦30,000 as minimum wage to workers on grade levels one to seven in the state’s civil service.
A’Ibom govt commits to payment of new minimum wage
The Akwa Ibom State Government says it is willing and ready to pay the new minimum wage of ₦70,000.
Governor Umo Eno had stated that the state government will abide by the agreement reached between organised labour and the federal government.
Head of the State Civil Service, Effiong Essien, affirmed the governor’s position to our correspondent in Uyo.
The state currently pays ₦30,000 as minimum wage to its civil servants.
Workers, who pleaded not to be named, have said they do not receive up ₦30,000 as minimum wage.
Mbah willing to make Enugu workers happy – official
The Enugu State government yesterday said that Governor Peter Mbah is willing to make the state and local government workers happy following the approval of a new minimum wage of ₦70,000 for Nigerian workers by President Bola Tinubu.
A senior aide of the governor, who spoke to our correspondent on condition of anonymity, said the state executive council would meet to determine how Enugu State is going to adjust to paying the new wage.
Asked if Governor Peter Mbah is ready to pay the amount, the official said: “You know this matter was only approved yesterday (Thursday) and we’ve not held the state executive council meeting yet.
“This means that no decision will be taken until the matter is discussed and modalities put in place to ensure its swift implementation.
“But as you already know, Governor Mbah is very willing to make Enugu workers happy, and in doing that he will not pay ghost workers and ghost pensioners.
“It is only those working that’ll be paid. I’m sure you know the character of our governor. You won’t earn anything if you don’t work.”
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