Emmanuel OchayiIn July 2024, President Bola Tinubu approved an increase in Nigeria’s minimum wage from N30,000 to N70,000, a move that aimed to alleviate the economic strain on workers. However, the implementation of this new minimum wage has been uneven across the country. While some states are adopting the new wage, others have committed to paying more than N70,000, recognising the rising cost of living in their regions.
This article outlines the states paying above the N70,000 minimum wage and those that are set to implement the new federal standard.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelLagos Leads with N85,000 Minimum Wage
Lagos State was among the first to exceed the federal minimum wage. On October 16, 2024, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu announced a new minimum wage of N85,000 for civil servants. This N15,000 increase above the federal wage is a response to the high cost of living in Lagos. Sanwo-Olu has also set an ambitious goal of raising the minimum wage to N100,000 by January 2025.
Rivers State Follows with N85,000
Rivers State has also stepped up, with Governor Siminalayi Fubara approving a minimum wage of N85,000 for state workers on October 18, 2024. This move aligns Rivers with Lagos, highlighting the state’s commitment to improving the livelihood of its workers.
Ogun State’s Wage Hike to N77,000
In Ogun State, Governor Dapo Abiodun increased the minimum wage to N77,000 on October 15, 2024. The Secretary to the State Government, Tokunbo Talabi, confirmed this in a statement, making Ogun one of the states to surpass the N70,000 wage mark.
Gombe State Sets N71,451.15 Minimum Wage
Gombe State took a unique approach by setting a minimum wage of N71,451.15. This agreement was reached with the Nigeria Labour Congress on October 14, 2024, placing Gombe just above the federal mandate.
Ondo State at N73,000
On October 12, 2024, Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa raised the minimum wage to N73,000. This increase came during his campaign for the November 2024 governorship election, signaling his commitment to the welfare of state workers.
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Kogi State Sets N72,500 with Tax Suspension
Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo, approved a new minimum wage of N72,500 for civil servants. The state government has also suspended taxes on this new wage for a year, offering workers additional financial relief.
States Paying the Federal N70,000 Minimum Wage
Several other states have confirmed their adoption of the federal minimum wage of N70,000:
• Edo State: Governor Godwin Obaseki increased the minimum wage from N40,000 to N70,000 effective from May 1, 2024
- Anambra State: Governor Chukwuma Soludo has confirmed that the state will begin paying the new minimum wage in October 2024.
- Katsina State: Governor Dikko Radda has pledged to implement the N70,000 wage.
- Ebonyi State: Governor Francis Nwifuru approved the N70,000 minimum wage in September 2024.
- Adamawa State: Governor Ahmadu Fintiri has also agreed to the new minimum wage, effective August 2024.
- Oyo State: Governor Seyi Makinde has expressed his commitment to the wage increase, pending salary adjustments.
- Borno State: Governor Babagana Zulum announced that Borno would implement the new wage from October 2024.
- Osun State and Benue State have both indicated readiness to adopt the N70,000 wage.
States Yet to Announce Minimum Wage Implementation
Despite the federal directive, several states have yet to announce any concrete plans to implement the new minimum wage. These include Jigawa, Zamfara, Akwa Ibom, and Bayelsa.
However, the new minimum wage of N70,000 represents a significant shift for Nigerian workers, but its implementation has varied across states. While some have met or exceeded the federal standard, others are still in the process of making adjustments. Workers across Nigeria are waiting for full compliance to improve their financial standing in a challenging economic climate.
Emmanuel Ochayi is a journalist. He is a graduate of the University of Lagos, School of first choice and the nations pride. Emmanuel is keen on exploring writing angles in different areas, including Business, climate change, politics, Education, and others.
