In a welcome development, civil servants in Zamfara State have received a significant increase in their October salaries, as the state government implemented the full ₦30,000 minimum wage. This marks a notable shift for state employees, who had previously been receiving a basic minimum wage of just ₦7,000, and in recent years, a minimal ₦30,000 without a structured salary scale.
The salary adjustment, which came as a surprise, follows Governor Dauda Lawal’s pledge to improve workers’ welfare. Although civil servants were initially disheartened by minor increases in their June salaries, the recent October payments reflect the governor’s commitment to delivering on his promise of a more substantial improvement.
This boost has sparked jubilation among civil servants, as many see it as a sign of the government’s dedication to being worker-friendly. Since taking office, Governor Lawal has also prioritized settling three months of withheld salaries, releasing leave grants, addressing owed gratuities, and ensuring timely salary payments—all measures that have endeared the administration to the state’s workforce.
With the federal minimum wage of ₦30,000 having expired in April 2024, workers across Nigeria anticipate further increases. As some state governors have already begun implementing the new ₦70,000 minimum wage, with some exceeding it, Zamfara’s civil servants now look forward to seeing how Governor Lawal might further fulfill his worker-centric vision.
The recent October salary increase underscores the Zamfara government’s ongoing efforts to reform and rejuvenate the state’s civil service, positioning it as an administration that values the welfare of its employees.
