Seven states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have yet to approve or implement the new N70,000 minimum wage, initially set to start in October. While 25 states have begun payments or declared intentions to adopt the wage, Zamfara, Sokoto, Osun, Cross River, Imo, Plateau, Taraba, and the FCT remain undecided.
Zamfara State recently started paying the previous minimum wage of N30,000, while Sokoto Governor Ahmed Aliyu had promised swift action but has not yet implemented the new wage. Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke announced intentions to pay but has not finalized details. The Trade Union Congress (TUC) chairman in Osun, Bimbo Fasasi, stated negotiations are ongoing with the state government.
Cross River’s Governor Bassey Otu previously set a N40,000 wage before the national standard was raised. TUC leaders in the state confirmed continued discussions with the government regarding the new wage. In Imo, Governor Hope Uzodimma has also pledged support for the wage, but no agreement on payment has been reached.
Plateau and Taraba have remained silent on their plans, though Taraba’s Governor Agbu Kefas indicated readiness to begin payments once discussions are complete. Meanwhile, the FCT has not commented on implementing the wage.
Nationwide, workers are vocal about the new wage’s inadequacy in the face of rising costs. A federal employee in Abuja criticized the decision to accept N70,000, saying it doesn’t reflect current economic realities, with inflation and energy prices eroding its value. A civil servant in Osun added that the wage only covers basic expenses for a short period, describing it as insufficient against food and fuel price hikes.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) had agreed to the N70,000 figure on the condition that fuel prices would not increase. However, prices have continued to rise, prompting NLC President Joe Ajaero to accuse President Bola Tinubu of betraying the agreement. Ajaero emphasized that the fuel costs have overshadowed the benefits of the new wage, urging the government to address the deepening poverty and frustration affecting Nigerian workers.
