Governor Umaru Bago of Niger State has announced the approval of an N80,000 minimum wage for civil servants, which will be effective from November 2024.
This decision, announced following a meeting with the state’s organized labor representatives at the Government House in Minna, applies to both state and local government employees.
Governor Bago stated that the decision is financially viable, given the state’s recent advancements in agriculture, which he described as a key factor supporting the new wage structure. He added that a committee on minimum wage would address the necessary consequential adjustments to ensure smooth implementation.
Additionally, the governor encouraged civil servants to participate in agricultural activities, revealing plans to create “civil service farms” to boost productivity among government workers.
Mr. Idrees Lafene, Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Niger State, praised the governor’s approval, calling it a positive step forward for labor in the state. Lafene noted that while the union had initially proposed a range between N70,000 and N80,000, the governor’s decision exceeded their expectations.
This wage increase in Niger State aligns with recent moves by other states, including Enugu, which recently set its minimum wage to N80,000, reflecting growing national support for higher compensation amid economic challenges.
