With just days left before the December 1 deadline for the implementation of the N70,000 national minimum wage, Katsina, Cross River, and Zamfara states are scrambling to avoid a nationwide strike by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC). These three states remain the last to comply with the 2024 National Minimum Wage Act, while 33 states and the Federal Capital Territory have already implemented the wage.
Leading the compliance pack are Lagos and Rivers, with both states offering N85,000. Lagos has further pledged to raise the wage to N100,000 by early 2025. Other states, such as Akwa Ibom, Enugu, Oyo, and Niger, have agreed to N80,000, while Delta and Ogun settled for N77,000. A handful, including Ebonyi, Osun, Benue, and Kebbi, approved N75,000. Ondo State agreed to N73,000, with Kogi, Kaduna, Kano, and Gombe adopting figures between N71,000 and N72,000.
However, Cross River State faces mounting pressure from its workforce. Labour unions embarked on a two-day warning strike last week, accusing the state of stalling negotiations. Cross River NLC Chairman Gregory Ulayi stated, "The government has shown no commitment to implementing the N70,000 wage. We will proceed with an indefinite strike if the situation remains unchanged."
Governor Bassey Otu, in response, highlighted the state’s financial constraints: “With our lean resources and poor GDP, the N40,000 minimum wage announced in May was realistic for us. Still, we are committed to finding a solution.” His spokesperson, Nsa Gill, assured that negotiations were ongoing and that the government might exceed the N70,000 mark if resources permit.
In Katsina, a 15-member committee formed in October has yet to finalize a strategy for wage implementation. “We are aware of the workers’ hardships,” said Secretary to the State Government Abdullahi Faskari. “The committee is working round the clock to resolve this.”
Meanwhile, Zamfara Governor Dauda Lawal has promised swift action. “When I assumed office, I increased the minimum wage from N18,000 to N30,000. Workers’ welfare is my priority, and I assure you that the N70,000 wage will soon be implemented,” he said.
As the December 1 deadline looms, the NLC has warned of nationwide disruptions, declaring, “Non-compliance is not an option.”
