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Muna Tengi
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The Full List Of State Governors In Nigeria Willing To Pay N70k Minimum Wage
According to Infinity Media, several states are unwilling to immediately commit to the new minimum wage of ₦70,000, which was agreed upon by the Federal Government, Labour, and the Organised Private Sector (OPS).
Several states have expressed a need for more discussions before reaching a decision, while others are awaiting the acts of their counterparts before deciding on the next steps.
For example, in Delta State, Dr Kingsley Emu, Secretary to the State Government, described the wage increase choice as "a complex situation requiring a complex resolution" and expressed confidence that the state governor, Sheriff Francis Oborevwori, would make an acceptable decision.
The Nigeria Governors' Forum (NGF) is also examining each state's budgetary capacity to determine what it can sustainably pay.
They have accepted numerous salary awards and partial modifications lately implemented, but the tripartite committee on the National Minimum salary is still in consultation and has not completed its job.
The governors have promised to support the successful implementation of a reasonable minimum wage once the consultations are concluded.
Despite the federal agreement, the new minimum wage's adoption in all states is still questionable, as state governments analyze their financial capacities and the possible impact on their budgets.
Emu in his statement, said, “I cannot speak for Delta State whether we can pay or not. My business is to advise because what goes into that consideration is numerous. It is not spontaneous, it is not emotive, it is practical.
“How are you going to do the roads or the people who do not have the opportunity to earn a living? It is a complex situation that requires a complex resolution. It requires multi-dimensional skills to resolve.
“I am sure the NGF will be able to speak for themselves, and we saw the last wage increase when some states were able to pay N30,000 and others could not. We are likely going to see that situation again.”
He said that the federal government should focus on the true value of the naira rather than salary increases, stressing that states with large wage bills will be unable to absorb the new wage rise; alternatively, resources intended for development will be transferred to pay just wages.
Delta State Commissioner for Information, Dr Ifeanyi Osouza, guaranteed that Delta, as a labor-friendly state, would not take a back seat on the subject whenever the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) reached a decision.
Osouza said: “The President just reached an agreement with Labour yesterday. The FG is yet to come up with when the new minimum wage will take effect.
“Besides, the governors at their level are yet to take a position on this matter. But I can assure you that Delta, as a labor-friendly state, will not take the back seat in this matter.
“Recall that Delta State was one of the first states in the country to implement the 30,000 minimum wage in 2019.
“You can rest assured that our governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori is committed to the welfare of workers in the state.”
Imo awaits the lead from other states.
Imo State Commissioner for Labour, Ford Ozumba, stated to The Nation that the state government will only pay the new ₦70,000 minimum salary if other states follow suit.
“If other states will adjust to pay the new minimum wage, Imo State will do same,” Ozumba told The Nation.
Although Ozumba declined to reveal the minimum pay provided to Imo workers, he promised that the state government would not fall behind other states in implementing the new minimum wage.
Before the ongoing industrial conflict between organized labor and the federal government, Imo State paid its workers at least ₦40,000 instead of the statutory ₦30,000.
Ebonyi awaits the results of the discussions.
The Ebonyi State Government stated that it will await the outcome of current consultations before deciding on the new minimum wage.
Jude Okpor, the Commissioner for Information, remarked Thursday that states had diverse budgetary capacities.
He said: “You will agree with me that the financial capabilities of states vary; same as the different tiers of government.
“Ebonyi State, as one of the federating units in the country, will await the result of the ongoing consultation with the critical stakeholders in the comity of states before coming up with an official position.”
However, the commissioner described the state governor, Francis Nwifuru, as a worker-friendly governor who would go out of his way to make them happy.
“Ebonyi State, under the leadership of His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Bldr Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru has improved the remuneration of workers in the state as inherited from the immediate past administration by approving the payment of an additional ₦20,000 to all civil servants in the state.
“Workers in the state have been enjoying this increment since the inception of this administration,” he said.
Rivers has yet to announce its position on minimum wage.
The Rivers State Government vowed yesterday to make public its view on the new N70,000 minimum wage.
The administration, in a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Nelson Chukwudi, rejected a claim that the state governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, agreed to pay public officials ₦80,000 as the minimum salary.
“The Rivers State Government will make its position on the issue known in due course,” the statement said.
Describing the report as fake news, the statement said its response was meant to correct the impression it would have created in the minds of the public, especially civil servants in the state.
“The general public, particularly civil servants in the state are advised to discountenance the false claims in the online media platform,” it said.
Kano is considering an agreement.
The Kano State Government stated Wednesday that it was analyzing the deal made between Labour and the Federal Government on the new minimum wage before announcing a firm position. The state government presently pays its workers a minimum salary of N30,000.
"Kano will study the agreement (between the federal government and labor) and come up with a position," the state's Commissioner for Information, Baba Dantiye, told The Nation. The commissioner further stated that the state does not owe its public personnel any monthly wages.
Governor Adeleke says Osun would not fail on new wage payments.
Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has promised to pay civil personnel the agreed ₦70,000 minimum salary on time.
Speaking to The Nation through his Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Barrister Kolapo Alimi, the governor stated that workers' wellbeing is at the forefront of his administration's priorities.
Alimi stated, "Our governor loves labor. His main priority is to emphasize the well-being of all workers, active and inactive.
"Governor Ademola Adeleke will not default on the new minimum wage. Osun State would never break from the minimum wage laws.
"Governor Ademola Adeleke will key into it."
Abia government will meet with the economic team.
Dr. Alex Otti, governor of Abia State, will meet with the state's economic team to discuss the new minimum wage authorized by the federal government.
During an interview with The Nation, the Chief Press Secretary informed the governor, Mr. Ukoha Njoku Ukoha.
According to Ukoha, the state administration got the revised minimum wage announcement along with the rest of Nigeria.
He stated that the governor, along with the state's Accountant General and the Commissioner of Finance, will study the new minimum wage.
Abia is one of the states that could not pay the former minimum wage of ₦30,000.
The former government paid ₦20,100 for transportation and allowances, compared to the mandated ₦30,000 minimum wage.
During a weekend meeting with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC), the state's governor estimated wage arrears for workers to be over ₦15.5 billion.
The governor, who said that he would seek virement from the Abia State House of Assembly, informed the labor unions that he would pay the arrears in installments.
Benue promises to pay a new minimum wage.
In an interview with the platform, Benue State Governor's Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Sir Kulas Tersoo, recalled that when Governor Hyacinth Alia took office, he boosted Benue workers' pay as part of his campaign pledge. He remembered that when Governor Alia took office, he encountered impoverished government servants who had been ignored by past administrations and accepted the challenge of boosting their morale via timely payment of wages, pensions, and other incentives.
“We shall not have a problem paying the new minimum wage. We shall sit around the table with Labour and sort out grey areas once the bill is passed into law.
“But so far, the Governor has done more than ₦70,000,” said Tersoo. The Nation learned that Benue State civil servants are currently enjoying the ₦30,000 national minimum wage.
The fate of Adamawa workers is unknown.
Governor Ahmadu Fintiri's Chief Press Secretary, Mr Humwashi Wonosikou, told our reporter yesterday that the governor has not stated any views on the new minimum wage.
The Adamawa State Government presently provides a minimum salary of ₦32,000, however, workers are not paid.
Although the government has not failed to pay the minimum wage in the past five years, the state's preparation for the new ₦70,000 remained unknown as of yesterday.
The governor said that the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors' Forum, who is also the Governor of Kwara State, is already managing it on behalf of all governors, and that once a decision is reached, it would be implemented in Nasarawa State.
A'Ibom government promises to pay the new minimum wage.
The Akwa Ibom State Government agrees to pay the new minimum salary of ₦70,000.
Governor Umo Eno has declared that the state administration would comply with the deal struck between organized labor and the federal government.
Effiong Essien, Head of the State Civil Service, confirmed the governor's viewpoint to our correspondent in Uyo.
The state now pays government officials a minimum wage of ₦30,000.
Workers who requested anonymity reported not receiving the minimum salary of ₦30,000.
Mbah wants to make Enugu workers happy - official.
Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has expressed his willingness to satisfy state and local government workers after President Bola Tinubu approved a new minimum salary of ₦70,000 for Nigerian workers.
A top adviser to the governor, who spoke to our reporter on the condition of anonymity, said the state executive council will meet to discuss how Enugu State will adjust to paying the new wage.
Asked if Governor Peter Mbah is ready to pay the amount, the official said: “You know this matter was only approved yesterday (Thursday) and we’ve not held the state executive council meeting yet.
“This means that no decision will be taken until the matter is discussed and modalities put in place to ensure its swift implementation.
“But as you already know, Governor Mbah is very willing to make Enugu workers happy, and in doing that he will not pay ghost workers and ghost pensioners.
“It is only those working that’ll be paid. I’m sure you know the character of our governor. You won’t earn anything if you don’t work.”
“Right now, I cannot speak on the matter because His Excellency, Governor Ahmaduu Umaru Fintiri, who is currently not in town, has not addressed it to my knowledge,” Wonosikou said in a brief telephone interview.
He suggested that the 36 state governors convene a meeting particularly to address the latest situation before taking a firm stance.
We'll pay whatever the governors agree on, adds Sule.
Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, says the state has implemented the ₦30,000 minimum wage authorized by former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019 and is willing to pay whatever amount agreed upon by governors.
Governor Sule stated that his government not only followed the ₦30,000 minimum salary upon gaining office, but also provided promotions, gratuities, and other perks to its employees.
He went on to say that his government has made worker welfare a top priority, and that he will pay whatever the governors agree on.
