Minimum Wage: “I will Pay any Amount Approved by FG” – Kebbi Governor

The Governor of Kebbi State, Dr. Nasir Idris Kauran Gwandu, has declared his commitment to paying the minimum wage set by the federal government. He stated that regardless of the amount approved by the Nigerian government, he will ensure it is paid.

This commitment came amid widespread resistance from other state leaders within the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF), who claimed they could not afford the ₦60,000 minimum wage. In contrast, the Kebbi State Governor pledged to adhere to any minimum wage set by the federal government for his state’s employees.

The Governor expressed this stance during an interview with British Broadcasting Corporation BBC, which was later transcripts into English by The Spectacles.

Idris stated that he was unaware of the meeting where governors expressed their stance on the disputed ₦62,000 minimum wage.

The former unionist and current Kebbi governor questioned when the meeting took place, noting that he is a member of the negotiating committee and has been mediating between the federal government and organized labor on the minimum wage issue. “I was not part of the meeting, if it was even held, and I will not be part of those who refuse to pay the agreed minimum wage. As I have said at various public forums, I will pay the agreed amount, and I stand by that,” he said.

He further explained that, as an advocate for workers’ welfare and better pay, he would not abandon his people during these challenging times. “As a member of the tripartite committee, I will continue to negotiate in favor of Nigerian workers.”

He urged both the federal government and organized labor to compromise to reach a common, acceptable, and sustainable living wage, pledging to implement the agreed sum for Kebbi workers.

Recall that the federal government has proposed a minimum wage of ₦62,000, but labor unions have rejected this offer, demanding a minimum wage of ₦250,000. Despite this ongoing dispute, the Kebbi State Governor’s willingness to comply with the federal mandate stands in stark contrast to the NGF’s position. The NGF’s refusal is seen not as a financial incapacity but as a reflection of their negative attitude towards civil servants.

Six months ago, the federal government increased allocations to all 36 state governors to facilitate the payment of a ₦35,000 wage award. However, many governors defied this directive, denying workers the approved wage increase. While most of the governors who complied were from southern Nigeria, none of the northern governors met even 40% of the required wage increment. There are some governors who have never given workers even for one month wage award at all, this highlights a broader issue of neglect towards workers.

This neglectful stance has prompted the Senate to consider legislation to penalize governors who fail to implement the federally approved minimum wage agreements. This proposed law aims to ensure compliance and protect the rights of workers across Nigeria.