Federal workers have confirmed receiving a ₦40,000 increase in their salaries, signaling the government’s commencement of the new minimum wage.
This was announced in separate statements by Benson Upah, spokesperson for the Nigeria Labour Congress, and Tommy Etim, Deputy President of the Trade Union Congress. They affirmed reports from the federal government regarding the implementation of the ₦70,000 minimum wage.
Upah urged state governments and private establishments to follow the federal example, stating, “We ask other entities to emulate this example.” Similarly, Etim noted, “The FG’s committee on consequential adjustments has released a template, so there is no justification for delaying the payment of the minimum wage. We advise all parties to follow suit and begin payments.”
The ₦70,000 minimum wage represents a 100% increase from the ₦30,000 paid under President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.
However, this pay rise comes at a critical time, as Nigerians are facing soaring prices for goods and services, with inflation rates at 32.15% and 37.52% in August 2024. The surge in prices casts a shadow on this accomplishment of the government, raising concerns on the effectiveness of the new wage in providing the necessary relief during these challenging times.
