Default Payment of ₦30,000 Minimum Wage Continues in Six States – NLC

Numerous states are grappling with the implementation of the new minimum wage, with reports indicating significant challenges across the board.

Negotiations between the federal government and labor unions are escalating, highlighting that six states – Abia, Anambra, Bayelsa, Kebbi, Nasarawa, and Zamfara – have yet to enforce the current minimum wage of ₦30,000, nearly six years after its introduction. Shockingly, many workers in Zamfara are receiving less than ₦10,000 monthly.

Additionally, Ebonyi, Benue, Kogi, and Osun are only adhering to the minimum wage for workers at levels one to six, with Osun extending it to beneficiaries from level 7 and below.

Furthermore, several states have failed to adequately address the wage award for workers, exacerbating the challenges posed by the rising cost of living, as per a report by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

States confirmed to be paying the current minimum wage include: Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Bauchi, Borno, Delta, Edo, Ekiti, Enugu, Gombe, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kwara, Lagos, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, Taraba, and Yobe.

Despite increased monthly allocations to the three tiers of government following the fuel subsidy withdrawal, defaulting states are still delaying the implementation of the minimum wage, citing financial constraints.

Furthermore, the situation regarding the payment of wage awards by states remains dire, with only Ondo and Lagos states coming close to the ₦30,000 per month threshold set by the federal government. Ondo paid ₦35,000, while Lagos paid ₦31,000. Other states vary in their payments, with some ranging from ₦10,000 to ₦25,000, and some failing to make any payments at all.

States yet to fulfill the wage award include: Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Edo, Kaduna, Kebbi, Kogi, Nasarawa, Rivers, Taraba, and Zamfara.

Akwa Ibom reportedly provided a palliative allowance for Christmas only, while Anambra disbursed only ₦12,000 and Niger State ₦20,000, also in December. Delta paid ₦10,000 for September, October, and November.