Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has approved minimum wage of N77,000 for the lowest-paid workers in the state. The new wage takes immediate effect, signaling a bold new chapter for civil servants in the state.
The announcement came after a high-stakes meeting between the state government, led by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tokunbo Talabi, and the leadership of the Organised Labour in Ogun State, including the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), and the Joint Negotiating Council (JNC). The meeting was convened to hammer out the details of the new minimum wage and ensure that no worker in the state earns less than the N77,000 mark, effective from October.
Mr. Talabi, speaking on behalf of the governor, made it clear that this was not just a token gesture but a deliberate move to alleviate the hardships faced by workers.
"The meeting is at the instance of Governor Abiodun, who has directed that no worker in the state should earn less than N77,000 starting from October. The governor means well for the people of the state and has proactively taken steps to further ameliorate the suffering of the people," Talabi declared.
In a move that extends beyond the public sector, Governor Abiodun also urged private sector employers to follow suit, calling on them to adjust their wages to reflect the harsh economic realities.
"The governor has also advised the organized private sector to take a cue from the policy, as their workers are not exempted from the economic realities in the country," Talabi added, noting that a special monitoring team would be set up to ensure the private sector complies.
The landmark decision has been met with widespread praise from labour leaders. Ogun State NLC Chairman, Hameed Benco, expressed deep satisfaction, noting that the N77,000 figure is the highest minimum wage currently being paid by any state in the country.
"Some states that have implemented the new minimum wage are paying N70,000, while some pay N70,250 or less," Benco pointed out, emphasizing that Ogun is leading the pack in worker-friendly policies.
Notably, the new basic salary will not be taxed, a major relief for workers already grappling with economic pressures.
"The government has graciously approved that the new basic salary should not be taxed," Benco revealed, a move expected to significantly increase take-home pay for civil servants.
Comrade Akeem Lasisi of the TUC and Comrade Isa Olude of the JNC echoed Benco’s sentiments, praising the government for being worker-friendly. They hinted that consequential adjustments for pensioners and other outstanding issues would soon be addressed after further consultations with stakeholders.
Ogun State Head of Service, Mr. Kehinde Onasanya, also weighed in, describing the governor’s decision as a testament to his responsiveness and sensitivity to the plight of workers.
"The approval of the generous minimum wage for workers underscores the responsiveness and sensitivity of the Governor and the government to the plight of the workers and the general populace of the state," Onasanya stated.
