Lagos Leads with N85,000: As Tinubu’s Minimum Wage Boost Spurs States to Hike Pay Beyond N70,000

| By Adejumo Adekunle

Following negotiations with the organized Labour, in July 2024, President Bola Tinubu approved a new minimum wage for Nigerian workers, raising it from N30,000 to N70,000. However, the rollout has been uneven across states, with some yet to adopt the new wage.

While several states have committed to meeting the N70,000 minimum, others have gone further, pledging to pay higher amounts.

Here’s a breakdown of states offering above the federal minimum wage:

Lagos State:

On October 16, 2024, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu announced an N85,000 minimum wage for Lagos State workers, N15,000 above the federal standard. He attributed this to the rising cost of living in Lagos and aims to raise it to N100,000 by January 2025.

Ogun State:

On October 15, 2024, Governor Dapo Abiodun approved a minimum wage of N77,000, as stated by Secretary to the State Government, Tokunbo Talabi.

Gombe State:

The state government, in partnership with the Nigeria Labour Congress, signed a deal on October 14, 2024, to increase the minimum wage to N71,451.15.

Ondo State:

On October 12, 2024, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa announced a wage increase to N73,000 for state employees during his campaign for the upcoming November election.

Kogi State:

Governor Usman Ododo approved a minimum wage of N72,500 for civil servants, effective immediately, and suspended taxes on the new wage for a year.

Several other states, including Anambra, Katsina, Ebonyi, Adamawa, Nasarawa, Oyo, Borno, Osun, and Benue, have also committed to the N70,000 minimum.

However, states such as Jigawa, Zamfara, Akwa Ibom, and Bayelsa are yet to announce their plans for implementing the wage increase.