Minimum Wage: LG Workers, Primary Teachers to Benefit as NLC Reconciles with Sokoto Govt

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Sokoto State Chapter has assured local government staff and primary school teachers in the state that they will benefit from the recently approved ₦70,000 national minimum wage, currently being implemented by the Sokoto State Government.

This assurance was provided by the state NLC Chairman, Comrade Abdullahi Aliyu (Jungle), during a press briefing following the union’s state executive meeting at the NLC secretariat in Sokoto on Saturday.

“What we signed at the end of our negotiations with the state government covers both state and local government staff, which includes teachers under the Local Government Education Authority (LGEA),” Comrade Jungle clarified.

He added that if the state’s economic conditions improve, the NLC would engage the government to consider paying arrears for previous months.

The NLC Chairman emphasized that the new minimum wage’s implementation resulted from extensive negotiations between the state government and NLC leadership.

“We fully support the approved ₦70,000 minimum wage, which is set to take effect from January 2025,” he stated. He further noted that the NLC has suspended its proposed strike over the non-implementation of the wage agreement.

Comrade Jungle assured that the union would collaborate with the state government to ensure that only genuine civil servants benefit from the new wage. This may include a thorough verification and screening exercise.

He urged civil servants to remain patient, expressing optimism that the government would introduce additional welfare packages to enhance their well-being.

This announcement follows the establishment of committees by 17 state governors, including Sokoto, to oversee the implementation of the ₦70,000 minimum wage across their respective states.

“We are satisfied with the agreement reached for implementing the new minimum wage,” Comrade Jungle affirmed, commending the Sokoto State Government’s negotiation team for their patience and cooperation.

He concluded by reiterating the NLC’s commitment to working closely with the government to ensure a smooth rollout of the wage increase, highlighting the union’s dedication to protecting workers’ interests and fostering the state’s overall development.