Labour unions in Nigeria have expressed concern over states’ adherence to the newly approved national minimum wage of N70,000, warning that they will take decisive action against non-compliant states by the end of January.
The Federal Government had announced January 2025 as the commencement date for implementing the minimum wage across all states.
Despite the approval in July 2024 by President Bola Tinubu, reports indicate that while most states have pledged to comply, few have begun making the necessary payments.
An official of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), speaking anonymously, disclosed that workers initially expected payments to begin in December.
However, many now hope that states will begin implementation in January. The NLC plans to hold a National Executive Council (NEC) meeting later this month to determine strategies for addressing non-compliance.
“Workers have waited long enough. If states fail to act by January’s end, we will pursue all legal and industrial measures to enforce compliance,” the official stated.
As of December, states such as Zamfara, Imo, Akwa Ibom, and Katsina had yet to implement the new wage. In his New Year message, NLC President Joe Ajaero urged all governments to immediately align with the new wage policy.
NLC spokesperson Ben Upah warned that any state refusing to pay the minimum wage risks significant backlash.
Highlighting increased federal allocations to states and the rising cost of living, Upah criticized any claim of financial incapacity as unjustifiable.
Similarly, Trade Union Congress (TUC) President Festus Osifo issued a stern warning, including threats of strike action in non-compliant states.
Osifo pointed to Zamfara and Cross River as examples of states lagging in implementation, noting that workers in Cross River have already staged a warning strike, which could escalate if their demands remain unmet.
Osifo emphasized that the minimum wage issue extends beyond simple announcements of figures, underscoring the need for states to address wage adjustments comprehensively.
“Some states are not even engaging in discussions about implementation. We urge them to initiate talks to ensure workers start benefiting from this policy,” he said.