Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has sanctioned the immediate implementation of the new N70,000 minimum wage for all FCT administration staff. This decision was announced in a statement by Anthony Odeh, Press Secretary to the Head of the FCT Civil Service, and distributed to the media on Tuesday.
The approval follows President Bola Tinubu’s signing of the Minimum Wage Bill into law in May 2024, which set N70,000 as the minimum wage after extended discussions with organized labor unions.
This move comes amid rising tensions, as the FCT branches of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) recently signaled plans to halt operations on November 30, 2024. This action aligns with nationwide directives to strike over the slow adoption of the minimum wage in several states, including the FCT.
The labor unions had also criticized the Wike-led administration for not meeting with union representatives since he assumed office in August 2023. However, the statement noted that on November 18, 2024, Wike officially approved the wage increase as part of efforts to alleviate hardships faced by government workers.
Acting Head of the FCT Civil Service, Mrs. Grace Adayilo, shared that the minister not only authorized the wage hike but also the payment of three months’ arrears starting November 2024. She emphasized that this act of support would inspire employees to contribute to the realization of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The statement reaffirmed Wike’s dedication to enhancing the welfare and morale of FCT workers, underscoring the administration’s priority on employee well-being and productivity.
