Following a series of meetings between the Nigerian government and the organised labour, President Bola Tinubu approved a national minimum wage for workers in the country.
The president signed into law, a new minimum wage of N70,000 from the initial N30,000 marking a significant development.
The new minimum wage is viewed as a key step in addressing the rising cost of living, economic hardship and improving the welfare of civil servants.
However, the implementation of the new minimum at the state level has sparked mixed reactions.
While some state governors have expressed their readiness to pay the new minimum wage, others have raised concerns about their inability to do so due to limited financial resources.
Below are the state governors who have approved the new minimum wage of N70,000 for workers
1. Dikko Radda — Kastina State
Dikko Radda, the governor of Katsina State, is the latest state governor to express readiness to implement the new minimum wage of N70,000.
He announced this during the Public Engagement and Launch of the Community Development Programme, part of the 2025 Citizens Budget Participation Process, held in Katsina on Thursday, 5 September 2024.
2. Francis Nwifuru — Ebonyi State
The governor of Ebonyi State, Francis Nwifuru, has joined the list of state governors ready to pay the new minimum wage of N70,000.
The Governor also directed all relevant government authorities to draft modalities for implementing the new minimum wage, which is set to commence this September.
He made this known during the grand finale of the Ojiji Izhi New Yam Festival 2024.
3. Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya — Gombe State
In a recent development, the Governor of Gombe State, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, has expressed his willingness to join the list of state governors prepared to pay the new minimum wage.
This was disclosed by the state’s Deputy Governor, Manassah Daniel Jatau, during a press briefing held late on Sunday, 25th August, at the conference hall of the Deputy Governor’s Office in Gombe.
4. Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri — Adamawa State
The Governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, recently announced the approval of the new minimum wage of N70,000 to civil servants on Monday, August 19, 2024.
He described the approval as a reaffirmation of his administration’s commitment to the welfare of state civil servants.
5. Lucky Aiyedatiwa — Ondo State
Ahead of the gubernatorial election in Ondo State, the incumbent governor and candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has also shown a willingness to pay the new minimum wage as announced by the Nigerian government
This was made known in a statement released on August 6, 2024, by the Ondo State Head of Service, Mr. Bayo Philip.
6. Abdullahi Sule — Nasarawa State
Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State is one of the governors who have expressed willingness to pay the new minimum wage.
The governor revealed on August 6, 2024, through his Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Public Affairs, Comrade Peter Ahemba, that his administration is committed to workers’ welfare, adding that the payment of the new wage would commence anytime soon.
7. Seyi Makinde — Oyo State
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, through his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Sulaimon Olanrewaju, earlier disclosed on July 29, 2024, that paying the N70,000 minimum wage to the state’s workers would not be too difficult for the Oyo government.
Mr Olanrewaju recalled that during the 2024 Workers’ Day celebration, the governor had pledged to pay whatever the national minimum wage would be, adding that the governor’s stance remains unchanged.
8. Babagana Zulum — Borno State
Borno State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Inuwa Yusuf, revealed in an interview with the Nigerian Tribune on July 21, 2024, that Governor Babagana Zulum has expressed his willingness to pay the new N70,000 wage.
He stated that the governor is committed to adopting the new minimum wage agreed upon by the Federal Government for state civil servants.
9. Ademola Adeleke — Osun State
Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, is also among the state governors who have expressed readiness to pay the new minimum wage. The governor, through the state’s Commissioner for Information, Kolapo Alimi on July 19, 2024, revealed that Adeleke’s administration prioritises the welfare of workers, adding that Osun State would not deviate from the law on the new minimum wage.
10. Hyacinth Alia — Benue State
Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has stated that his administration is prepared to pay state workers the new national minimum wage of N70,000.
The governor, who made this known to journalists in Makurdi, the state’s capital, on Friday, July 19, 2024, revealed that his administration had blocked leakages and implemented measures to ensure the new minimum wage is paid.
11. Babajide Sanwo-Olu — Lagos State
Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, while commemorating Workers’ Day on May 1, 2024, assured civil servants in the state that his administration would implement the now-approved new minimum wage.
He added that his administration is committed to building a more inclusive and equitable society in which workers’ interests receive the attention they deserve.
