Halima Ahmed, the Acting Director of Media Affairs and Public Relations of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), communicated the governors’ rejection, stating that such a wage would financially cripple many states, forcing them to allocate their entire monthly revenues from the Federation Account solely to salaries.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Speaking from Ibadan, Oyo State, Ajadi criticized the governors’ stance as “insensitive” and “wicked,” emphasizing the disparity between their salaries and the proposed wage for workers. He noted that the labour unions had not yet accepted the government’s proposal, making the governors’ rejection premature.

Ajadi commended Edo State Governor Dr. Godwin Obaseki for independently initiating a ₦70,000 monthly minimum wage in his state, suggesting that other governors should follow his lead not only in wage adjustment but also in reducing their own salaries.

“I am totally shocked that the governors could come out to say that they cannot pay the proposed ₦60,000 minimum wage. That pronouncement by the governors showed that they are insensitive to the plight of workers and the masses. I see it as a wicked pronouncement.

“In the first instance, they were too hasty in their reactions, as the Labour Unions have not even agreed to the proposal. If the governors are serving the people as they usually claim, they should cut their own salaries to ₦60,000 too. I will also suggest that the governors should be paid according to their qualifications. They should realize that the workers attend the same markets their wives and children attend.

“Since the removal of subsidy, the Federal Government has increased the monthly allocation to the states. What are the governors doing with the money? Part of the money should be used to pay the new minimum wage when agreed by the tripartite committee. President Bola Tinubu has repeatedly urged the governors to use the increase in monthly allocations to better the lives of their citizens. So, it is shocking that the governors have the effrontery to reject a mere ₦60,000 proposal.

“The question we need to ask is, what can ₦60,000 buy in the present state of the economy? It can’t feed a worker for two weeks, let alone their dependents. When there is finally an agreement on the new minimum wage, I urge the governors to be sincere and ensure its prompt payment in their states,” Ajadi concluded.

His call to action highlights the need for equitable salary structures and sincere governance to address the financial challenges faced by Nigerian workers.