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Why Governors And Others Have Yet To Agree On New Minimum Wage

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Why Governors And Others Have Yet To Agree On New Minimum Wage

Writing by Sediq mutari....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

As Nigeria awaits President Bola Tinubu’s executive bill on the new minimum wage to be presented to the National Assembly, numerous state governments are grappling with financial challenges in implementing the proposed ₦62,000 minimum wage agreed upon by the Federal Government and the Organised Private Sector (OPS). Despite increased allocations following the removal of the fuel subsidy in May 2023, many states report that these funds are inadequate to support the higher wage demands.

The OPS, reflecting on the recent Tripartite Committee meeting outcomes regarding the new national minimum wage, clarified that no formal agreement was reached. Instead, there was an “alignment of interest” concerning the wage increase, highlighting ongoing discussions on the feasibility of the proposed adjustments.

Amid these financial challenges, Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris has publicly distanced himself from other governors expressing concerns over their ability to meet the new wage requirements. Conversely, Senator Ahmed Wadada of Nasarawa West has called on President Tinubu to set a higher minimum wage of ₦150,000, underscoring the need for substantial adjustments to address economic hardships, particularly those exacerbated by the recent fuel subsidy removal.

Currently, at least 20 states are not implementing any wage increases to mitigate the hardships faced by workers due to the subsidy removal. This is despite President Tinubu’s appeals for states to follow the federal government’s example of paying an additional ₦35,000 on top of the existing ₦30,000 minimum wage.

The primary reason for this reluctance is a lack of funds, with many governors reportedly slow to engage in new wage negotiations in which they were minimally involved.

One governor, speaking with Vanguard, argued that most states would struggle to pay ₦62,000 as a minimum wage. He stated, “The issue is not about the Federal Government, as Labour makes it seem. What is being negotiated is a national minimum wage, not a federal government minimum wage for its workers.”

“A national minimum wage affects states, local governments, and private sector employers, especially SMEs and MSMEs. The first consideration in wage negotiation is affordability and the ability to pay. Can states, local governments, and private-sector employers afford to pay?”

He continued, “It means states and local governments will spend all their federal allocation and internally generated revenue and even borrow to pay their workers, who are less than one percent of their population. What will they spend on the rest of the citizens in the 36 states who need education, good roads, healthcare, security, etc.?”

“There is a need to consider the consequences on the economy, inflationary trends, and potential layoffs if NLC/TUC pressures the government into agreeing to a minimum wage that is unrealistic and unsustainable.”

“There is a general consensus that the minimum wage should be increased, but it has to be within a realistic band of what all parties can pay. That is why the private sector and government are offering ₦60,000.”

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Police Arrest NSCDC Officer With Pistol, 17 Bullets At Abuja Kubwa Market.

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An officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has been arrested for allegedly firing gunshots into the air during a confrontation with traders at Kubwa Market in Abuja.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The officer, identified as Onoja Samuel, reportedly arrived at the market armed with a pistol following allegations that some traders had assaulted his wife.

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Mohammed Sanusi, disclosed the incident while addressing journalists at the command on Wednesday, Naija News reports.

Sanusi said the police received a distress call from Kubwa Market, located in the Bwari Area Council, reporting that a man was shooting into the air.

Following the report, officers attached to the Kubwa Police Division were deployed to the scene, where they arrested the suspect.

According to the police commissioner, preliminary investigations revealed that Samuel holds the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Corps (DSC) in the NSCDC.

He explained that the officer allegedly fired several shots during an argument with the traders.

“During the ensuing argument with the traders, Onoja Samuel, who is a DSC with the NSCDC, fired several shots into the air,” Sanusi said.

The police recovered a CZ pistol and 17 rounds of live 9mm ammunition from the suspect.

Sanusi added that Samuel remained in police custody and would be charged in court upon the conclusion of investigations.

The commissioner also urged personnel of other security agencies operating in the FCT to exercise restraint and notify the police divisions responsible for their areas before conducting authorised operations.

He stressed that effective coordination among security agencies was essential to preventing confrontations and maintaining peace across the territory.

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‘We Don’t Want Another Mohbad Case’ – Laolu Gbenjo Speaks On Toluwanisings.

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Nigerian gospel singer Laolu Gbenjo has cautioned the public against spreading unverified information about the circumstances surrounding the death of his colleague, Bayonile Bolaji, popularly known as Toluwanisings.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Gbenjo’s warning comes amid growing controversy surrounding the late singer’s death and burial arrangements, with reports of disagreements among members of his family.

The gospel singer spoke on Tuesday during a night of tributes held in honour of Toluwanisings in Ibadan, Oyo State. He warned against allowing the situation to degenerate into a controversy similar to the one that followed the death of Nigerian singer Mohbad.

Describing the deceased as a devoted Christian and a genuine servant of God, Gbenjo said Toluwanisings was passionate about his faith and had a good relationship with people.

He urged the public to stop fuelling unnecessary controversy over the late singer’s death, particularly through social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram.

“You can never see Toluwani in the midst of jobless people. He had a good heart. He was a friend to everybody. He served the Lord with all his heart. Don’t turn Toluwani into Mohbad. That madness on TikTok and Instagram must stop. If you are jobless, go and look for a job,” Gbenjo said.

Meanwhile, comedians Ayobami Ajewole, popularly known as Woli Agba, and Olamide Oladimeji, also known as Dele Omo Woli, have threatened legal action against individuals allegedly linking them to Toluwanisings’ death.

Woli Agba disclosed this in a public notice shared on his Instagram page on Sunday.

In the notice issued by their solicitors, Gemgold, the comedians warned members of the public against publishing or circulating allegations they described as false and defamatory against them.

The legal notice maintained that the allegations were baseless and intended to damage the reputations of the two entertainers.

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El-Rufai’s ₦1bn Legal Battle Takes New Turn As Court Fixes Judgment Date.

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The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed December 2, 2026, for judgment in the ₦1 billion fundamental rights suit filed by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, against the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and other respondents.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik set the date after lawyers representing the parties adopted their respective court processes.

However, El-Rufai’s lawyer was absent when the case was initially called. The judge subsequently deemed the former governor’s filed processes adopted.

Counsel to the ICPC, Abdul Mohammed (SAN), adopted the commission’s court processes and urged the judge to dismiss the suit in its entirety.

Similarly, the lawyer representing the Inspector-General of Police, ACP Ezekiel Rimamsomte, and Maimuna Lami-Shiru, Director of Civil Litigation and Public Law, who appeared on behalf of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), adopted their respective processes and asked the court to dismiss the case.

During the proceedings, El-Rufai’s lawyer, Ubong Akpan, arrived in court and apologised for his lateness.

When Akpan sought the court’s permission to adopt his client’s processes, Justice Abdulmalik informed him that the documents had already been deemed adopted.

The judge subsequently adjourned the matter until December 2, 2026, when judgment is expected to be delivered.

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