Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State has approved a new minimum wage of ₦70,000 for civil servants in the state. Announcing this during a press briefing at the New Government House in Abakaliki, the governor clarified that the amount should not be seen as a general salary increase but rather as the minimum payment any worker in the state will receive.
Nwifuru emphasized that the ₦70,000 minimum wage does not apply to all employees across the board, but only guarantees that no civil servant will earn less than this amount. He directed the State Head of Service to devise a plan for the disbursement of the new minimum wage, stating, “As soon as the civil servants and the Head of Service agree on a formula, the government will implement the payment.”
Local Government Financial Autonomy
Governor Nwifuru also reaffirmed his commitment to adhering to the Supreme Court’s ruling on financial autonomy for local governments. He stated that his administration has never interfered with local government funds and assured that local governments will manage their finances and projects independently.
Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Response
In light of the new ₦70,000 National Minimum Wage Act signed by President Bola Tinubu, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has warned state leaders to ensure full compliance or face consequences. Many states, including the Federal Government, have yet to adjust salaries accordingly. The NLC has initiated a training program to help state council leaders negotiate and implement the new wage, stressing the need for transparency and fairness in the process. NLC President Joe Ajaero warned leaders not to compromise on the new wage, emphasizing that workers’ rights must be upheld.
The implementation of the ₦70,000 minimum wage is expected to set a new standard for state and local government employees across Nigeria.