NLC Reaffirms Deadline for ₦70,000 Minimum Wage Implementation by December 1, 2024

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has reaffirmed its deadline for state governors to implement the new ₦70,000 minimum wage by December 1, 2024, stressing that no extensions will be granted.

Benson Upah, the NLC’s Head of Protocol and Public Relations, confirmed in an interview with Saturday PUNCH in Abuja that the ultimatum still stands. “Yes, the ultimatum is still in place. Nothing has changed,” he said.

The deadline, issued earlier this month, has prompted several state governments to speed up negotiations with labor unions to meet the new wage requirement.

In Sokoto State, Deputy Governor Alhaji Idris Gobir assured the NLC’s state chapter of the government’s commitment to implementing the wage increase. “Go ahead and bring your proposal for the new minimum wage implementation, and I assure you I will facilitate a swift harmonization process,” Gobir stated during a meeting with labor representatives.

Sokoto NLC Chairman Abdullahi Jungul praised the government’s readiness to engage, urging workers to remain patient as the union submitted its proposal.

In Zamfara State, the government plans to implement the new minimum wage once an ongoing verification of workers, aimed at eliminating ghost workers, is completed. Under former Governor Bello Matawalle, the state had failed to implement the 2019 ₦30,000 minimum wage.

Meanwhile, in Taraba State, the government has approved the ₦70,000 minimum wage, which will take effect in November 2024. State Head of Service Paul Maigida confirmed, “Governor Dr. Agbu Kefas has approved the implementation of the new minimum wage for workers in Taraba State.”

In Plateau State, Governor Caleb Mutfwang has also approved the immediate implementation of the ₦70,000 minimum wage following an agreement with the Committee on Consequential Salary Adjustments.

Cross River State is still in negotiations, with no resolution yet, while in Imo State, the government has remained silent on the issue. In Osun State, the committee tasked with reviewing the minimum wage has yet to finalize any proposals.

Tommy Etim, National Vice President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), said the union is closely monitoring state developments to ensure compliance. “State governments must act swiftly to avoid industrial action. Rising inflation leaves no room for further delays in implementing the new wage,” Etim warned.