Minimum Wage: List of Nigerian Governors Who Have Said They Can't Pay N70,000

• At least two Nigerian state governors have expressed difficulties in implementing the new N70,000 minimum wage due to financial constraints
• One governor outrightly stated his inability to pay, while another announced a delay until 2026
• The Organised Private Sector has also expressed concerns about paying the new wage without support, citing the need for assistance to implement the increased wage

Weeks after President Bola Tinubu signed the N70,000 new minimum wage bill into law, at least two state governors have expressed difficulties implementing the new national minimum wage of 70,000 naira, citing financial constraints and limited federal allocation.

While some have openly stated their inability to pay the increased wage, others have yet to make a decision. The Organised Private Sector has also expressed concerns about paying the new wage without support.

Gombe state governor Inuwa Yahaya

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Gombe state governor Inuwa Yahaya has said his administration cannot afford the new national minimum wage of N70,000, citing limited federal allocation.

Yahaya, chairman of the Northern Governors Forum, told labour leaders and civil society groups at a meeting in Government House that implementing the increased wage package was impossible despite a recent rise in federal allocation following the removal of petrol subsidies.

The governor expressed doubts that many other states could pay the new wage, recalling that even implementing the previous N30,000 minimum wage was a struggle for state governments.

“I cannot pay the N70,000 minimum wage, and I suspect many other states are in the same predicament,” he said.

Nasarawa state governor, Abdullahi Sule

Nasarawa state governor Abdullahi Sule has announced that the state government will not implement the new N70,000 minimum wage until 2026, citing financial constraints.

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Sule announced at a meeting with labour representatives at Government House, Lafia, where he initially promised to commence payment this month, including arrears for May, June, and July.

However, labour unions allegedly requested a delay to allow for the implementation of outstanding promotions, which the governor agreed to, estimating the cost at N200 million.

Sule explained that approving the promotions would require suspending the minimum wage implementation for up to two years, as the state's monthly allocation cannot accommodate the additional N1 billion needed for both the wage increase and promotions.

Kogi governor yet to decide on implementation

While Kogi state governor Ahmed Usman Ododo has not expressly stated that he cannot pay the N70,000 minimum wage, his administration has yet to take a concrete step.

According to The Punch, the Kogi state commissioner for finance, Ashiwaju Ashiru Idris, no date has been fixed for the state's implementation of the minimum wage.

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The commissioner reportedly said he had no information about when the state would commence payment.

“We can't pay N70k minimum wage”: Private sector

Meanwhile, the Organisedrivate Sector (OPS) has also said that members cannot pay the N70,000 national minimum wage without support.

OPS spokesperson and director general of the Nigeria EmEmployeEmployers'tativessociation (NECA), Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, made this statement while reacting to President TiTinubu'iTinubu'snnouncement of N70,000 as the new national minimum wage.

N70k minimum wage is not even enough - Youth advocate

Speaking on the development, Ogoegbunam Kingdom, the Platform for Youth and Women Development director, said the N70,000 minimum wage is not even enough.

Nevertheless, he said the calls for N250,000 minimum wage in some quarters are also unrealistic and infeasible.

"The removal of the fuel subsidy is a crisis reincarnated. Prices of goods and services are on the rise, and the failure of the government to cushion the effect is a major problem," Mr Kingdom told Legit.ng.

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"The N70,000 is not even enough for transportation, let alone school fees, feeding, accommodation, etc. But the calls for a N250,000 minimum wage are unrealistic and infeasible. The government is trying its best but they needs to do more."

N70k minimum wage: NLC sends message to Lagos govt

In another related development, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has said that the N35,000 wage award is not part of the N70,000 new minimum wage.

The NLC Lagos state chairman, Funmi Sessi, called for a new wage structure that reflects the various cadre and salary grade levels of all categories of workers in the service.

Sessi said this while reacting to the report that Lagos state was already paying its employees more than the N70,000 prescribed minimum wage.

Source: Legit.ng