In July 2024, President Bola Tinubu approved an increase in the minimum wage for Nigerian workers from N30,000 to N70,000.
However, the implementation across states has been gradual, with some still yet to adopt the new minimum wage.
While a number of states have pledged to meet the N70,000 minimum wage, others have gone further, committing to pay amounts higher than the federal mandate.
Below is a list of states that have announced plans to pay above N70,000:
- Lagos State:
On October 16, 2024, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu announced a new minimum wage of N85,000 for Lagos State workers, N15,000 above the federal minimum. He cited the high cost of living in Lagos as a factor and expressed a goal to raise the minimum to N100,000 by January 2025.
- Ogun State:
Governor Dapo Abiodun approved a minimum wage of N77,000 on October 15, 2024, according to a statement by the Secretary to the State Government, Tokunbo Talabi.
- Gombe State:
The state government and the Nigeria Labour Congress signed an agreement on October 14, 2024, to raise the minimum wage to N71,451.15.
- Ondo State:
On October 12, 2024, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa announced a minimum wage increase to N73,000 for state workers during his campaign kickoff ahead of the November 16 governorship election.
- Kogi State:
Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo, approved N72,500 minimum wage for civil servants in the state with immediate effect. The governor also suspended the tax burden on the approved sum for one year.
The following states have agreed to adopt the N70,000 wage:
Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, disclosed that the state will commence the payment of the N70,000 minimum wage from October 2024.
Katsina State Governor, Dikko Radda, said his administration is committed to implementing the new minimum wage.
In September, Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, approved the payment of N70,000 minimum wage to civil servants under the employ of the state.
Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State approved the new monthly minimum wage of N70,000 for state and local government workers in August.
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State declared that his administration would commence the payment of the minimum wage once the issue of consequential salary adjustment has been addressed.
Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, announced that the state will commence payment of the new minimum wage starting October 2024.
Osun State and Benue State have also expressed readiness to adopt the new minimum wage.
However, some states, such as Jigawa, Zamfara, Akwa Ibom, and Bayelsa, have yet to announce the implementation of the new minimum wage.
Okiki Adeduyite
