Abia Not Among States That Have Implemented New Minimum Wage Despite Gov Otti’s Promise | #NwokeukwuMascot
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Governor Otti's Unfulfilled Promise: Abia Lags Behind as Other States Implement New Minimum Wage | #NwokeukwuMascot
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The Abia State Government has not yet implemented the new ₦70,000 minimum wage approved by the Federal Government, despite earlier assurances from Governor Alex Chioma Otti that Abia would be among the first states to adopt the new wage structure once it was finalized.
Governor Otti made this commitment during his speech marking his first anniversary in office on May 29, 2024.
He stated, "We are, however, conscious of our promise and as soon as a headway is made, Abia will be amongst the first to pay whatever becomes the new national minimum wage. The patience, understanding, and sacrifices of the workers are very much appreciated and shall never be taken for granted."
However, while Abia is still in the process of addressing the implementation of the new wage, some states in Nigeria have already begun paying the ₦70,000 minimum wage.
The Federal Government approved the ₦70,000 minimum wage for workers, with a commitment to review it every three years. As of now, three states—Lagos, Edo, and Adamawa—have commenced payments under the new wage structure.
In Lagos State, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu revealed in April that workers had been receiving the ₦70,000 minimum wage since January. "The civil servants and all public officers in Lagos know that since January, we have continued to pay the wage allowance of a minimum of ₦35,000 over and above what they were earning before. What this means is that people earning a minimum of ₦35,000 before are now earning over ₦70,000. That is what they have been enjoying since January," Sanwo-Olu stated.
Similarly, the Edo State Government began paying the new ₦70,000 minimum wage to its workers in May, fulfilling a promise made by Governor Godwin Obaseki during the inauguration of the Labour House in Benin City. Governor Obaseki noted that the increase from ₦40,000 to ₦70,000 was aimed at mitigating the impact of the harsh economic conditions on the state's workforce.
In Adamawa State, Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri approved the payment of the ₦70,000 national minimum wage to civil servants in August. This development was confirmed by Comrade Emmanuel Fashe, the state Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), following a closed-door meeting with the governor at the State Government House.
Photo: Nigerian Governors |
Other states have expressed their intention to pay the new minimum wage once the Federal Government releases the necessary implementation guidelines.
As Abia workers continue to await the fulfillment of Governor Otti's promise, the state government’s stance on the timing of the wage implementation remains a key issue of public interest.
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