Several state governors in Nigeria have expressed their positions on implementing the newly approved national minimum wage of ₦70,000, marking a significant increase from the previous ₦30,000.
This decision, endorsed by President Bola Tinubu on July 29, 2024, followed intense negotiations involving Organized Labour, the private sector, and the federal government. The increase aims to improve the welfare of civil servants and address the rising cost of living in the country.
While some governors have welcomed the development, seeing it as a much-needed boost for workers and a potential driver of economic growth, others are concerned about the financial viability of implementing the wage hike in their states. These governors are apprehensive that the limited financial resources in their states may hinder the proper implementation of the new wage, possibly leading to disruptions in public services.
According to reports from Tribune, some governors remain optimistic, believing that the increase will have positive effects on the economy by boosting consumer spending and improving the living standards of civil servants. On the other hand, concerns remain over the potential strain on state budgets, with some states already struggling with revenue shortfalls and the ability to meet previous wage commitments.
The move has sparked a national conversation on the balance between worker welfare and state financial capacities, as well as on the need for reforms to improve revenue generation at the state level. The situation remains fluid, with governors continuing to deliberate on how to implement the new wage structure effectively.
See the list of governors who have expressed their readiness to implement the new ₦70,000 minimum wage.
1. Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos State)
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, while commemorating Workers’ Day on May 1, 2024, assured civil servants in the state that his administration would implement the now-approved new minimum wage.
He added that his administration is committed to building a more inclusive and equitable society in which workers’ interests receive the attention they deserve.
In a recent development, Governor Sanwo-Olu, during a live interview on Channels TV’s “One-On-One with Babajide Sanwo-Olu” on Wednesday evening, disclosed readiness to pay ₦85,000 minimum wage for workers in the state, saying the decision had already been discussed with labour unions
2. Muhammad Yahaya (Gombe State)
Gombe State workers have joined the growing list of civil servants whose governors have expressed willingness to implement the new national minimum wage.
On October 15, 2024, the Gombe State Government approved a new minimum wage of ₦71,451 for state civil servants and local government employees.
This decision follows successful negotiations between the government and organised labour, ensuring that the lowest-paid workers in the state now receive the new national minimum wage.
3. Dapo Abiodun (Ogun State)
Dapo Abiodun, the executive governor of Ogun State, has joined the growing list of governors ready to implement the new minimum wage.
The governor expressed his readiness to pay the new national minimum wage and approved ₦77,000 as the new minimum wage for Ogun State civil servants, with immediate effect.
This development was disclosed on October 14, 2024, by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Tokunbo Talabi, following a meeting with the leadership of organised labour in the state.
4. Ahmed Ododo (Kogi State)
Civil servants in Kogi State will soon have reason to smile as Governor Ahmed Ododo approved ₦72,500 as the new minimum wage for state workers.
On October 7, 2024, the governor announced that the payment would take effect immediately. He noted that, after deliberations between the union and the government, the committee arrived at a position that balances the interests of both the workers and the state.
5. Charles Soludo (Anambra State)
The governor of Anambra State, Charles Soludo, has joined the list of governors committed to paying the new national minimum wage. He announced that his administration will commence payment of the ₦70,000 minimum wage by the end of October 2024.
The governor made the announcement during a parade ceremony on October 1, 2024, to mark Nigeria’s 64th Independence Day celebration at Dr Alex Ekwueme Square, Awka.
6. Dikko Radda (Kastina State)
Dikko Radda, the governor of Katsina State, is the latest state governor to express readiness to implement the new minimum wage of ₦70,000. He announced this during the Public Engagement and Launch of the Community Development Programme, part of the 2025 Citizens Budget Participation Process, held in Katsina on Thursday, 5 September 2024.
He stated that Katsina State is well-positioned to lead the implementation of the new wage policy and added that his administration is committed to public sector service delivery.
7. Francis Nwifuru (Ebonyi State)
The governor of Ebonyi State, Francis Nwifuru, has joined the list of state governors ready to pay the new minimum wage of ₦70,000. He made this known during the grand finale of the Ojiji Izhi New Yam Festival 2024. The Governor also directed all relevant government authorities to draft modalities for implementing the new minimum wage, which is set to commence this September.
8. Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya (Gombe State)
In a recent development, the Governor of Gombe State, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, has expressed his willingness to join the list of state governors prepared to pay the new minimum wage. This was disclosed by the state’s Deputy Governor, Manassah Daniel Jatau, during a press briefing held late on Sunday, 25th August, at the conference hall of the Deputy Governor’s Office in Gombe. The Deputy Governor stated that Governor Yahaya is committed to implementing the new minimum wage to boost the morale of the state’s civil servants.
9. Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri (Adamawa State)
The Governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, recently announced the approval of the new minimum wage of ₦70,000 to civil servants on Monday, August 19, 2024.
He described the approval as a reaffirmation of his administration’s commitment to the welfare of state civil servants.
10. Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo State)
Ahead of the gubernatorial election in Ondo State, the incumbent governor and candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has also shown a willingness to pay the new minimum wage.
This was made known in a statement released on August 6, 2024, by the Ondo State Head of Service, Bayo Philip. According to him, Governor Aiyedatiwa had consistently assured that Ondo State, under his leadership, would adhere to the minimum wage standard set by the Federal Government.
11. Abdullahi Sule (Nasarawa State)
Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State is one of the governors who have expressed willingness to pay the new minimum wage. The governor revealed on August 6, 2024, through his Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Public Affairs, Comrade Peter Ahemba, that his administration is committed to workers’ welfare, adding that the payment of the new wage would commence anytime soon.
12. Seyi Makinde (Oyo State)
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, through his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Sulaimon Olanrewaju, earlier disclosed on July 29, 2024, that paying the ₦70,000 minimum wage to the state’s workers would not be too difficult for the Oyo government.
Olanrewaju recalled that during the 2024 Workers’ Day celebration, the governor had pledged to pay whatever the national minimum wage would be, adding that the governor’s stance remains unchanged.
13. Babagana Zulum (Borno State)
Borno State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Inuwa Yusuf, revealed in an interview with the Nigerian Tribune on July 21, 2024, that Governor Babagana Zulum has expressed his willingness to pay the new ₦70,000 wage.
He stated that the governor is committed to adopting the new minimum wage agreed upon by the Federal Government for state civil servants.
14. Ademola Adeleke (Osun State)
Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, is also among the state governors who have expressed readiness to pay the new minimum wage. The governor, through the state’s Commissioner for Information, Kolapo Alimi on July 19, 2024, revealed that Adeleke’s administration prioritises the welfare of workers, adding that Osun State would not deviate from the law on the new minimum wage.
15. Hyacinth Alia (Benue State)
Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has stated that his administration is prepared to pay state workers the new national minimum wage of ₦70,000. The governor, who made this known to journalists in Makurdi, the state’s capital, on Friday, July 19, 2024, revealed that his administration had blocked leakages and implemented measures to ensure the new minimum wage is paid.