As economic hardship intensifies, at least seven states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have yet to approve the ₦70,000 minimum wage, which was expected to be implemented starting October. Meanwhile, 25 states have either commenced payment or made announcements regarding their approach to the new wage rate.
The states yet to finalize an amount for the minimum wage include Zamfara, Sokoto, Osun, Cross River, Imo, Plateau, Taraba, and the FCT. Zamfara, notably, recently began paying the old ₦30,000 minimum wage, and there is no indication when the new rate will be adopted. Although the ₦30,000 wage was established in April 2019, Zamfara only started implementing it this June under Governor Dauda Lawal. No updates have been issued on plans to adopt the ₦70,000 wage.
In Sokoto, workers are still awaiting the promised increase despite Governor Ahmed Aliyu’s commitment to be one of the first states to implement it. Similarly, in Osun, Governor Ademola Adeleke pledged to pay the new wage, but approval and payment have yet to begin. According to Trade Union Congress (TUC) Chairman Bimbo Fasasi, the Osun government is still in discussions, comparing salary tables with labour representatives, with an agreement expected soon.
Cross River State also remains undecided. In May 2024, Governor Bassey Otu announced a ₦40,000 minimum wage for civil servants, which predated the national ₦70,000 proposal. The TUC Chairman in Cross River, Monday Ogbodum, confirmed that negotiations are ongoing.
In Imo State, Governor Hope Uzodimma has reassured workers of his commitment to the new wage, though discussions continue without a finalized template. The TUC Vice Chairman in Imo, Charles Amaru, expressed optimism but reported that no agreement has yet been reached on payment terms.
Plateau State has been notably silent on the wage issue, and while Taraba’s Governor Agbu Kefas pledged readiness to implement the ₦70,000 minimum wage on September 5, actual payment has not commenced.
The FCT administration has yet to issue any statement on its plans for the minimum wage.
Across Nigeria, workers continue to express frustration over the delay, stating that even ₦70,000 is insufficient given the rising costs of living. Escalating fuel and electricity prices, coupled with inflation, have diminished the purchasing power of the minimum wage. A staff member of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment in Abuja, speaking anonymously, argued that the N70,000 minimum wage fails to reflect the economic reality, especially as the cost of essentials remains high.
“Accepting ₦70,000 as the minimum wage was a mistake,” he noted, adding that the government’s commitment to curbing inflation has not materialized. “Food, fuel, and other essentials are still on the rise. ₦70,000 is simply not enough.”
A civil servant in Ayedire Local Government, Osun State, echoed these concerns, questioning how long ₦70,000 could sustain a family given current inflationary pressures. “What kind of quality and quantity of food can we buy with ₦70,000? It can barely sustain us for two weeks,” he lamented.
The organized labour unions have highlighted that their acceptance of the ₦70,000 minimum wage hinged on President Bola Tinubu’s assurance that fuel prices would not increase. However, with fuel prices rising in September and further increases anticipated, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has expressed feeling betrayed by the government.
NLC President Joe Ajaero stated on September 20 that the president’s actions have undermined the benefits of the new wage. Ajaero urged the government to address the pressing issues of inflation, poverty, and the growing frustration among Nigerian workers, saying, “The skyrocketing petrol prices have negated the impact of the ₦70,000 wage, making life even more challenging for citizens.”
As negotiations stall in various states, the question remains whether the national minimum wage will be sufficient to address the economic realities faced by Nigerian workers.
