When President Bola Tinubu approved a minimum wage for Nigerian workers from N30,000 to N70,000 on July 29, 2024, following intense negotiations involving a Tripartite Committee which included representatives from organized labour, the private sector, and the federal government, there were fears that some states in the country will find it difficult to pay the amount to their workers.
The wage increase was part of efforts by the government to improve the welfare of workers amidst escalating costs of living occasioned by the economic policies put in place by the Tinubu-led administration which has brought untold hardship on Nigerians.
While many state governors embraced the wage increase and set up committees to look into the possibilities of working out an agreeable compromise, some have raised genuine concerns about their states’ capacity to meet the new obligations.
Though the implementation of the increase across states has been gradual, there have been states that have pledged to meet the N70,000 minimum wage while some have even gone further to approve above the federal government’s recommendation and have committed to it.
So far, Zamfara State is the only state in the federation that is yet to announce or implement a new minimum wage for its workers. With the rising inflation and cost of living, workers in that state still have to live with the old minimum wage of N30,000 while their counterparts around the country, now enjoy an increase.
Ripples Nigeria takes a look at a list of states that have implemented the new minimum as well as those that have approved wages above the N70,000 standard set by the federal government.
1. Lagos State
Lagos State was the first state in Nigeria to set the pace when Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu announced on October 16, 2024, that the Center of Excellence will pay a new minimum wage of N85,000 for its workers with N15,000 increase above the federal minimum wage. While making the wage increase announcement, Sanwo-Olu cited the high cost of living in Lagos as a factor and expressed a target of raising the minimum wage to N100,000 by January 2025.
2. Rivers State
Following on the heels of his Lagos counterpart, Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State on October 18, 2204, approved an increase in the minimum wage for civil servants in the state to N85,000.
Fubara, in a statewide announcement, said the decision was reached during a closed-door meeting with representatives of organized labour under the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council at Government House, Port Harcourt.
Head of the state Civil Service, Dr. George Nwaeke, while addressing the media after the meeting, confirmed the approval of the new minimum wage, which also took the states’ minimum wage above the national threshold.
3. Akwa Ibom State
Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State on October 23, 2024, followed suit by announcing a new minimum wage package of N80,000 for public servants in the state after an implementation committee he set up reached an agreement with the state chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).
4: Enugu State
On October 24, 2024, Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State announced the approval of N80,000 minimum wage for the state’s work force, including local government workers, effective October 2024.
Mbah said the amount which rose above the approved national rate by N10,000, was reached following negotiations by the state Minimum Wage Implementation Committee headed by the Head of Service, Kenneth Ugwu and labour leaders, including the state’s labour leaders.
5. Niger State
Governor Umaru Bago of Niger State on October 25, 2024, also announced a new minimum wage of N80,000 for civil servants in the state with effect from November ending.
6. Bayelsa State
Another state that took its minimum wage above the national threshold was Bayelsa State after Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State, announced the sum of N80,000 as the new salaries for workers in the state’s civil service with effect from November 1, 2024.
7. Oyo State
On November 6, 2024, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State approved a minimum wage of N80,000 for the state workers.
The Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Dotun Oyelade, who made the announcement, said a technical committee set up by the government recommended and got approval from Makinde for the implementation of the new salary scale.
8. Delta State
Also in October, the Delta State government announced that it will begin paying a new minimum wage of N77,500 to its workers starting at the end of October.
Dr. Kingsley Emu, Secretary to the State Government, who made the announcement during a meeting with representatives from the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress (TUC), and the Joint Negotiating Council (JNC), said Governor Sheriff Oborevwori had approved the wage increase as a reflection of his commitment to easing workers’ burdens as a labor-friendly leader.
9. Ogun State
On October 15, 2024, Ogun State
Governor, Dapo Abiodun, approved a new minimum wage of N77,000, adding N7,000 to the approved N70,000 national rate approved by President Tinubu.
10. Kebbi State
On October 23, 2024, Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi State approved N75,000 naira as a new minimum wage for the state civil servants, with a N5,000 increase over the rate approved by the federal government.
According to Idris, workers in the state would begin enjoying their new salaries from October ending.
11. Osun State
Osun State was another state that took its minimum wage increase above the national rate when Governor Ademola Adeleke also announced a new wage of N75,000 for civil servants in the state.
Adeleke who made the announcement in his X handle said:
“I am pleased to announce the approval of the sum of 75,000 Naira as the new minimum wage for Osun State civil servants. This is in tandem with our commitment to social justice, economic growth, and an enhanced living standard for Osun teaming workers and citizens alike.”
12. Benue State
On November 18, 2024, Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State also approved the implementation of N75,000 as minimum wage for civil servants in the state beginning from November 2024, after a meeting with the joint negotiation council, comprising of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) and other affiliates unions at the state secretariat in Makurdi.
13. Kaduna State
In early November, Kaduna State
Governor, Uba Sani, approved a new minimum wage of N72,000 for Kaduna State civil servants effective November 2024.
According to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Ibrahim Musa, the decision was in line with the administration’s commitment to the advancement of the interests of workers and improvement in the living conditions of the poor, vulnerable and underserved in the state.
14. Ondo State
On October 12, 2024, Osun State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, in a statewide announcement, said he had approved an increase in the minimum wage to N73,000, which was slightly above the national rate. He also promised the workers that the new wage payment will kick off by the end of November.
15. Kogi State
Kogi State was the next as Governor Usman Ododo of Kogi State also approved a N72,500 minimum wage for civil servants, effective immediately. To add to the excitement, Ododo also suspended taxes on the new wage for one year.
16. Gombe State
On October 14, 2024, the Gombe State government signed an agreement with the state chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), raising the minimum wage to N71,451.15.
17. Kano State
Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State on October 29, 2024, approved a new minimum wage of N71,000 for civil servants in the state.
In a statement posted on his Facebook page, the Governor said:
“The decision is in line with my administration’s commitment to social justice and the improvement of living standards for our workers.
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“In line with our commitment to social justice and enhancing the standard of living for our workers, we have approved the sum of 71,000 naira as the new minimum wage in Kano State.”
States that aligned with the national minimum wage rate:
18. Adamawa State
Adamawa State was one of the first states to approve the N70,000 minimum wage approved by the federal government when Governor Ahmadu Fintiri announced the approval of the new salary structure for both state and local government workers.
19. Anambra State
In October 2024, Governor Chukwuma Soludo approved a new minimum wage of
N70,000 starting in October 2024.
20. Katsina State
Also in October, Governor Dikko Radda approved the immediate commencement of the payment of the N70,000 minimum wage with effect from the end of that month.
21. Ebonyi State
In September, Governor Francis Nwifuru announced the approval of the N70,000 minimum wage for state civil servants effective October ending.
22. Abia State
Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, in October, revealed that civil servants in Abia State will receive the new N70,000 national minimum wage from the end of that month.
The State Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu, who made the disclosure while addressing journalists at the Government House in Umuahia, said the decision came after a meeting between government and labour leaders in the state.
23. Kwara State
Also in October, Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara State approved the implementation of a new N70,000 minimum wage in line with the federal government’s directive.
In a statement issued on his behalf by the State Commissioner for Finance, Dr Hauwa Nuru, Abdulrazaq confirmed that the new wage would take effect across the state public service from October 2024, describing the move as a significant step towards enhancing the welfare of workers in the state.
24. Jigawa State
On October 28, 2024, Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa State approved the payment of the new N70,000 National Minimum Wage to workers in the state.
Hon. Sagir Musa, the Commissioner for Information, Youths, Sports and Culture, who disclosed the news to newsmen, said the decision came after Namadi received the report from the state’s Minimum Wage Committee led by the Head of Service, Muhammad Dagacire.
25. Edo State
Also in October 2024, the Edo State Government under former Governor Godwin Obaseki, announced that it will commence the payment of the N70,000 new minimum wage to workers in the state with effect from the month ending.
26. Borno State
Similarly, Borno State Government under Governor Babagana Zulum announced that it will beging paying N70,000 minimum wage in October 2024.
The Chairman of the new Minimum Wage Committee in Borno, Dr Babagana Mallambe, who confirmed this said the wage was approved to boost morale and productivity and spur the economic condition of civil servants in the state.
27. Yobe State
In November, Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, approved the payment of N70,000 minimum wage to state civil servants with effect from December 2024.
The governor’s spokesperson, Mamman Mohammed, who made the announcement, said the approval followed a recommendation of the committee on minimum wage constituted by the state government.
28. Taraba State
The Taraba State government was the next to approve of the new minimum wage when Governor Agbu Kefas approved N70,000 new minimum wage for workers in the state with the implementation taking effect from November 2024.
29. Ekiti State
On November 19, 2024, Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State approved a new minimum wage of N70,000 for workers in the state effective December 1, 2024.
30. Imo State
Governor Hope Uzodimma on November 26, approved the implementation of a N70,000 minimum wage for workers in Imo State.
He also announced the payment of outstanding gratuities to retirees from local and state governments.
31. Sokoto State
On November 29, 2024, Governor Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto of Sokoto State said that funds had been allocated for the commencement of the payment of the N70,000 new minimum wage effective from January, 2025.
Aliyu, while presenting the 2025 appropriation bill to state house of assembly stated that his administration was ready to adopt N 70,000 naira as the new minimum wage.
32. Plateau State
On November 14, 2024, Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, approved a N70,000 minimum wage for state and local government workers, following an agreement by the Committee on Consequential Adjustment.
The Head of Service, Stephen Pam, who made the announcement, said the government was committed to workers’ welfare and urged increased dedication from employees.
33. Cross River State
Cross River State Governor Bassey Otu on November 2, 2024, approved a N70,000 minimum wage for state workers, effective December 1, 2024, following an agreement with organized labor on consequential adjustments across all levels.
34. Bauchi State
Similarly, the Bauchi State Government also approved a new minimum wage of N70,000 for civil servants, effective November 2024.
The State Head of Civil Service, Yahuza Adamu Ningi, who made the announcement during a press briefing after the State Executive Council (SEC), explained that the decision followed extensive consultations between the government and labour unions.
35: Nasarawa State:
On December 5, 2024, Nasarawa State became the latest state to approve a new minimum wage for its work force when Governor Abdullahi Sule, confirmed that his administration will commence the payment of N70,500 to civil servants in the state.
In a statewide announcement, the governor said the challenge ithe state faced with labour which delayed the implementation was not about the minimum wage, but about the consequential adjustment which the state government currently lacks the resources to fulfill.
He also dismissed claims that his administration had failed to implement the new wage, emphasizing that the N70,500 payment is already being carried out.
FCT
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on November 19, 2024, approved the payment of N70,000 national minimum wage for workers of the FCT Administration.
The acting Head of Civil Service in the FCT, Grace Adayilo, who announced this in a statement in Abuja, said the minister also approved the payment of three months arrears to the workers.
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