Twenty-seven states and the Federal Capital Territory have yet to establish committees to facilitate the implementation of the recently approved N70,000 minimum wage.
However, seven states – Kano, Kwara, Ogun, Borno, Jigawa, Ondo, and Abia – have formed implementation committees. Only Lagos and Edo have reported that they have begun disbursing the new minimum wage.
President Bola Tinubu enacted the new minimum wage law on July 29, 2024, following consultations with leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria.
Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, stated that the state had been paying above the minimum wage even before it became law.
He explained, “When you look at the minimum wage that was paid in Lagos before, the least state worker earned about N77,000. So, if they said the minimum wage is now N70,000, we have no problem with it at all because Lagos has been paying more than that, and we will continue to pay.”
Similarly, the Edo State Government confirmed that it had commenced payment of the minimum wage.
Kwara State Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq constituted an 18-member tripartite committee to determine the modalities for the new minimum wage payment.
The Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Rafiu Ajakaye, reported that the committee has already begun its deliberations.
Other states, such as Kano, Jigawa, Borno, Ondo, and Abia, have also formed committees to address the new minimum wage.
However, some states have expressed concerns about their ability to pay the new wage due to limited financial resources.
Gombe State Governor Inuwa Yahaya said, “I cannot pay the N70,000 minimum wage, and I suspect many other states are in the same predicament.”
Kogi State’s Commissioner for Finance, Ashiwaju Ashiru Idris, acknowledged that the state had not yet set a date for implementing the new wage.
Plateau State Commissioner for Information, Musa Ashoms, noted that the government would finalize its stance on the issue after negotiating with organized labor.
Other states, such as Kebbi, Sokoto, Nasarawa, Bayelsa, Osun, Delta, and Benue, have expressed readiness to engage in meaningful discussions with state union leaders regarding the new minimum wage.
