The Niger State Government has approved a new minimum wage of N80,000 for civil servants at both the state and local government levels.
Governor Mohammed Umar Bago announced the decision on Friday after meeting with leaders of the organised labour at Government House, Minna.
He disclosed that the implementation of the new wage structure will begin in November.
According to the governor, the approval followed extensive deliberations between the government and labour leaders.
“We have decided to approve the sum of N80,000 as the minimum for both state and local governments.
The N80,000 approved is sustainable, and as our agricultural sector continues to thrive, we will further upgrade the wage very soon,” Bago stated.
The governor also unveiled plans to establish civil service farms, encouraging public servants to engage in agricultural production.
“We are creating civil service farms to enhance productivity among our workers.
With such initiatives, we can potentially increase the minimum wage to one million naira in the future, but for now, we are starting with N80,000,” Bago added.
He explained that the November start date was chosen because October salaries have already been disbursed.
In response, the state chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Abdulkarim Idris Lafene, acknowledged the new wage but argued that it is insufficient to meet current economic realities.
“N80,000 is not commensurate with the economy and cost of living.
However, we are optimistic that, as the governor suggested, the wage could eventually reach one million naira,” Lafene said.
It will be recalled that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu signed the new national minimum wage into law on July 29, 2024, following discussions with leaders of the NLC and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria.
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