As Nigeria inches closer to the December 1 deadline for the nationwide implementation of the N70,000 minimum wage, tension mounts in states yet to comply.
While 33 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have adjusted wages in line with the 2024 National Minimum Wage Act, Katsina, Zamfara, and Cross River remain outliers, risking an impending strike by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).
States Complying and Offering Higher Wages
Among the compliant states, several have exceeded the minimum wage benchmark. For instance:
Lagos and Rivers: Both offer the highest wages, with Lagos promising a further increase to N100,000 by early 2025.
Akwa Ibom, Enugu, Oyo, and Niger: Workers will earn N80,000.
Delta and Ogun: These states approved N77,000, while Ebonyi, Osun, Benue, and Kebbi settled for N75,000.
Other states such as Ondo, Kogi, and Kaduna have agreed to wages slightly above N70,000.
Despite these advancements, the refusal of three states to implement the new wage could lead to statewide shutdowns, disrupting public services and essential operations.
Cross River’s Standoff
Labour unions in Cross River expressed frustration after failed negotiations with the state government.
The unions staged a two-day warning strike earlier this week, accusing officials of using delay tactics.
Workers are particularly disheartened by Governor Bassey Otu’s May announcement of a mere N40,000 minimum wage, citing limited state resources.
Union leaders, including NLC State Chairman Gregory Ulayi, vowed to initiate an indefinite strike if their demands are not met.
Meanwhile, the government’s negotiating team is scrambling for a resolution before Monday’s deadline.
Katsina and Zamfara: Unresolved Plans
Katsina State had earlier formed a committee to address the wage adjustment but has yet to finalize its plans.
Labour representatives in the state expressed skepticism about meeting the December 1 target.
Similarly, Zamfara is still calculating its civil servant workforce and budget implications, although officials insist the state is committed to implementing the wage soon.
Broader Implications
The looming Monday strike could see public services grind to a halt in non-compliant states, further exacerbating worker grievances.
Labour unions have made it clear that failure to act will lead to nationwide protests, with implications for economic stability and political goodwill in affected regions.
The December 1 deadline remains a critical test for state governments, as civil servants await long-overdue financial relief. The outcome of these negotiations will likely set the tone for labour relations in Nigeria for years to come.
Leave a Reply