In his move to improve the welfare of civil servants, the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has approved a new minimum wage of ₦85,000 for workers in the state. This announcement comes as an enhancement to the recent federal government’s decision to raise the national minimum wage to ₦70,000.
Governor Sanwo-Olu revealed this development during an interview on Channels Television, stating that the new wage structure had been finalized after discussions with labor unions in the state.
“You mentioned minimum wage and what I need to throw in for my people. I’m glad to let you know that the minimum wage for Lagos, which we’ve discussed with our union, is ₦85,000 today,” the governor said.
He emphasized that the decision was not meant to be a competitive gesture, but rather one based on the state’s financial capacity and ability to support its workforce. “It’s not a competition, so I’m not going to say that we’re paying more than some other people; it’s a function of affordability and a function of capacity,” Sanwo-Olu added.
Lagos State, being the commercial hub of Nigeria, has one of the largest civil service workforces in the country. This new wage increase is expected to provide some relief to workers, particularly in light of rising inflation and the high cost of living in the state. The governor’s move is seen as part of a broader commitment to improving the living standards of the state’s employees.
Sanwo-Olu’s approval of the ₦85,000 minimum wage sets Lagos ahead of many other states in Nigeria and aligns with the growing calls for state governments to adopt more worker-friendly policies amidst economic challenges.
