Shehu Muhammed, the newly elected President of the Association, issued a stern warning to state governments during the association’s 5th Quadrennial Delegates Conference in Lagos. He declared that states failing to implement the new N70,000 minimum wage would face significant action from civil servants.
“For states not prepared to enforce the new minimum wage, let me make it clear—it is non-negotiable. We are coming for them,” Muhammed stated. He emphasized the need for state governments to adopt the new wage structure to enhance citizens’ living standards, particularly given the recent increases in state revenues following higher allocations from the Federal Account Allocation Committee (FAAC).
Muhammed suggested that states could meet this obligation by curbing wasteful spending and plugging financial leakages. He also advocated for the adoption of income indexing to align wages with inflation rates, ensuring that workers earn a living wage in Nigeria.
Addressing the association, Muhammed prioritized the formation of a committee to oversee the necessary adjustments for the new minimum wage’s implementation, emphasizing that the complete enforcement of the wage across federal and state levels is crucial for Organized Labour.
Joshua Apebo, the Association’s Secretary General, echoed Muhammed’s sentiments, calling on state governors to swiftly adopt the new wage structure in light of increased FAAC allocations since the removal of the fuel subsidy. Apebo reiterated the importance of reducing waste and financial mismanagement while urging the government to follow recommendations from the Chief Ernest Shonekan committee to link income to inflation.
In a show of support, Festus Osifo, President of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), pledged to back the new leadership in their efforts to protect workers’ rights. He urged the new executives to prioritize the union’s interests and those of the members who elected them.
