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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.”
The 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) began nationwide on Thursday, with over 2.2 million candidates expected to participate across accredited centres.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The exam, conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), will run from April 16 to April 22 in multiple daily sessions.
JAMB Registrar, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, urged examination officials to remain highly committed and professional, noting that the success of the exercise depends largely on their dedication.
He gave the charge during a virtual final briefing for technical officers ahead of the examination, where he also praised staff, ad hoc personnel, service providers, and technical advisers for their roles in the successful conduct of the mock exam.
Oloyede said many of the issues recorded during the mock exercise were due to poor assessment of centres by some technical officials.
He further stated that incentive packages would be awarded to teams that perform exceptionally, particularly in handling exam materials and submitting timely reports.
Reiterating JAMB’s zero-tolerance stance on malpractice, he warned candidates against bringing prohibited items into examination halls.
He also disclosed that biometric verification and real-time monitoring systems have been deployed to protect the integrity of the exercise.
Candidates whose biometrics cannot be verified, he added, will be rescheduled to write the exam at approved centres.
Meanwhile, a NAN correspondent monitoring proceedings at Aduvie International School, Jahi, reported that the first session scheduled for 8:30 a.m. began slightly behind schedule at about 8:40 a.m.
The Commissioner of Police for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), CP Ahmed Muhammed Sanusi, on Thursday inspected security deployments at Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres across Abuja.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
According to the FCT Police Command spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, the inspection is part of proactive measures to ensure a smooth, peaceful, and hitch-free conduct of the ongoing examinations.
The UTME is scheduled to run nationwide from April 16 to 18, 2026.
During the exercise, CP Sanusi assessed security arrangements put in place to safeguard candidates, examination officials, and CBT facilities.
He also engaged with centre supervisors, assuring them of adequate security presence throughout the examination period.
Adeh added that the CP reaffirmed the command’s commitment to maintaining law and order, warning that any attempt to disrupt the examinations would be met with decisive action in line with the law.
Over 700 former terrorists who have undergone deradicalisation and rehabilitation are set to be reintegrated into their communities.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The Nigerian military has also dismissed reports alleging that beneficiaries of Operation Safe Corridor are being recruited into military institutions.
According to African Independent Television, the Coordinator of Operation Safe Corridor, Brigadier-General Yusuf Ali, made this known during a media tour of the Deradicalisation, Rehabilitation and Reintegration Centre in Gombe, North-East Nigeria.
He said many Nigerians still misunderstand the Federal Government’s structured counter-terrorism initiative, which is designed to restore peace in communities affected by insurgency.
Brigadier-General Ali explained that the programme focuses on rehabilitation and peaceful reintegration of repentant individuals into society.
During the tour, some of the participants also shared accounts of their involvement in offences that led to their admission into the programme.
The facility inspection was part of preparations for the graduation of over 700 clients who have completed the deradicalisation and rehabilitation process and are set for reintegration.
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