In July 2024, President Bola Tinubu approved an increase in Nigeria’s minimum wage, raising it from N30,000 to N70,000. Since then, states across the country have been gradually implementing the new wage policy, with some states exceeding the federal mandate by offering higher minimum wages to their workers.
Here’s a rundown of the states that have committed to paying above the N70,000 minimum wage:
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Lagos State
On October 16, 2024, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu raised the minimum wage for state workers to N85,000, citing the high cost of living in Lagos. He also expressed the intention to increase it further to N100,000 by January 2025.
Rivers State
Governor Siminalayi Fubara approved a new minimum wage of N85,000 for civil servants on October 18, 2024, as part of efforts to improve workers’ welfare in the state.
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Ogun State
Governor Dapo Abiodun approved a minimum wage of N77,000 for workers on October 15, 2024. The decision was confirmed in a statement by the Secretary to the State Government, Tokunbo Talabi.
Gombe State
On October 14, 2024, the state government and the Nigeria Labour Congress signed an agreement to increase the minimum wage to N71,451.15.
Ondo State
During his campaign kickoff on October 12, 2024, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa announced a wage hike to N73,000 for state employees, aiming to boost their morale ahead of the November 2024 governorship election.
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Kogi State
Governor Usman Ododo approved a minimum wage of N72,500, effective immediately. The governor also granted a one-year suspension of taxes on the approved sum.
Several other states have committed to the new N70,000 minimum wage:
Anambra State will begin paying the new minimum wage in October 2024, as confirmed by Governor Chukwuma Soludo.
Katsina State Governor Dikko Radda has committed to implementing the new wage policy.
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Ebonyi State approved the payment of N70,000 to state civil servants in September 2024 under Governor Francis Nwifuru.
Adamawa State has implemented the new wage policy since August 2024, as directed by Governor Ahmadu Fintiri.
Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has pledged to start paying the new minimum wage once issues around consequential salary adjustments are resolved.
Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum announced that the state will begin payment in October 2024.
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Other states, including Osun and Benue, have also signaled readiness to adopt the new wage.
However, some states, such as Jigawa, Zamfara, Akwa Ibom, and Bayelsa, have yet to confirm their stance on implementing the N70,000 minimum wage.
States that have pledged or already adopted the new wage are seen as taking significant steps towards easing the financial challenges faced by civil servants amid rising living costs.
