Wike Approves ₦70,000 Minimum Wage for FCT Workers and Orders Arrears Payment

• ₦70,000 minimum wage approved for all FCT Administration staff.
• Wike’s decision follows labor unions’ threats of a nationwide strike.
• The approval includes three months’ arrears, effective from November 2024.
• The move aims to address workers’ concerns and improve their welfare.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has authorized the immediate implementation of the ₦70,000 minimum wage for all FCT Administration staff. This decision was confirmed in a statement issued by Anthony Odeh, Press Secretary to the Head of Civil Service of the FCT, on Tuesday.

In May 2024, President Bola Tinubu signed the ₦70,000 minimum wage bill into law following extensive negotiations with labor unions. However, some regions, including the FCT, faced criticism for delays in enforcing the law. This led to labor unions, such as the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) chapters in the FCT, threatening to go on strike by November 30, 2024, if the wage was not implemented. The unions also accused the Wike administration of failing to engage in dialogue with labor leaders since Wike’s appointment in August 2023.

To address these concerns, Wike approved the wage increase on Monday, November 18, 2024, aiming to improve workers’ welfare and respond to the ongoing demands from labor unions. The Acting Head of Civil Service of the FCT, Mrs. Grace Adayilo, further announced that three months’ worth of arrears, starting from November 2024, would also be paid to workers.