Bago approves N80,000 minimum wage

Niger State Governor, Mohammed Bago, has announced a new minimum wage of N80,000 to commence in November 2024.

The governor revealed this after an extensive meeting between the state government and the leadership of the state labour union, assuring that he would continue to review the minimum wage for the state workforce.

Speaking with journalists on Friday, Bago affirmed that the new minimum wage would be sustainable, given the government’s strides in agriculture.

“This is very sustainable. ₦80,000 is sustainable. With our advances in agriculture, I am confident we can afford it. We are creating a civil service farm so that civil servants can be productive. With that, I am certain we could eventually pay as much as ₦1 million as minimum wage,” Bago said.

The governor stated that the new minimum wage would apply to both state and local government civil servants, adding, “We have already paid this month’s salary, so it will take effect in November.”

The Niger State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Idrees Lafene, who also spoke with journalists after the announcement, expressed his satisfaction with the development, stating that the governor had exceeded their expectations.

“I feel delighted, and at least Niger State is now among the top-ranking states to implement a higher minimum wage,” Lafene said.

The chairman acknowledged that while the new minimum wage does not match the current cost of living, it represents progress. “It is not enough to buy a bag of rice, but at least it is a step forward,” he added.