Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago of Niger State has announced an increase in the minimum wage for civil servants in the state, raising it to N80,000 for both state and local government employees, with implementation set for November 2024.
This decision followed extensive discussions with the state’s Organized Labour Union, during which the governor emphasized his administration’s commitment to continuously improving the welfare of public sector workers.
Governor Bago expressed confidence in the state’s ability to maintain this wage increase, highlighting Niger State’s progress in the agricultural sector as a significant factor supporting the initiative.
“The N80,000 minimum wage is sustainable. With the strides we’re making in agriculture, I am confident we can uphold this commitment. We are also developing civil service farms to boost productivity among civil servants, which may eventually allow us to consider even higher wages,” he explained.
The announcement has been met with praise from the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Niger State. The state NLC Chairman, Comrade Idrees Abdulkareem Lafene, lauded the governor’s decision, noting that the new minimum wage goes beyond what the union had initially expected.
“I am delighted. Niger State is now among the leading states to set a higher minimum wage for its workers,” Lafene stated.
While commending the decision, Lafene acknowledged the ongoing economic difficulties, pointing out that the new wage still falls short of covering the cost of essential items, such as a bag of rice, under current inflation.
However, he added that the increase is nonetheless a positive step for workers in the state, offering some financial relief in challenging times.
