The Niger State Governor, Mohammed Bago, has approved a new minimum wage of ₦80,000 for state and local government workers, effective November 2024. The announcement followed an extensive meeting between the state government and the leadership of the state’s labour union.
Governor Bago assured journalists on Friday that the wage increase is financially sustainable, citing the state’s strides in agricultural development as a key support for this commitment. “This is very sustainable. With our advances in agriculture, I am confident we can afford it. We are creating a civil service farm so that civil servants can be productive. With that, I am certain we could eventually pay as much as ₦1 million as minimum wage,” he said.
Bago clarified that the new wage will apply to all state and local government employees. Since October salaries have already been disbursed, the new rate will take effect with November’s payroll.
The Niger State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Idrees Lafene, expressed his satisfaction with the new minimum wage, saying the governor had exceeded labour’s expectations. “I feel delighted, and at least Niger State is now among the top-ranking states to implement a higher minimum wage,” Lafene stated.
Lafene acknowledged that while the ₦80,000 wage may still fall short of covering the rising cost of living, it represents significant progress. “It is not enough to buy a bag of rice, but at least it is a step forward,” he added.
