Organised Labour has called on Nigerians to remain patient with both Federal and State Governments regarding the delay in implementing the newly approved minimum wage of ₦70,000.
The workers’ union also cleared the Federal Government of any deliberate attempt to avoid paying the new wage, emphasizing that the delay is due to the processes involved.
In an interview on Monday, the Deputy President of the Nigeria Labour Congress Political Commission, Prof. Theophilus Ndubuaku, explained that while President Bola Tinubu signed the new minimum wage into law on July 29, only seven states—Kano, Kwara, Ogun, Borno, Jigawa, Ondo, and Abia—have set up implementation committees.
READ ALSO: NLC threatens month-long shutdown over minimum wage deregulation
Ndubuaku highlighted that implementing the new wage is a complex process that requires careful calculation and adjustments across various levels of the public service. He noted that this process, known as consequential adjustment, involves recalculating wages from the lowest to the highest levels of public servants.
“We have no reason to suspect any deliberate delay,” Ndubuaku stated. “In a real sense, signing the wage is just a small component of the main activity. There is something we call consequential adjustment. That involves the calculation of the minimum wage from level one, step one, and all the way to level 16.”
The union leader expressed optimism that the necessary adjustments might be completed by the end of August. He emphasized that while the process may take time, there is ongoing collaboration between the government and labour unions to ensure smooth implementation.
Meanwhile, only Lagos and Edo states have claimed to start paying the new minimum wage, with Adamawa State recently joining the list of states willing to implement it. In contrast, several other states, including Plateau, Kebbi, Bayelsa, Osun, and Kaduna, are yet to establish implementation committees.
Ndubuaku urged the public to understand that the delay is part of the procedural requirements and not an indication of the government’s unwillingness to pay the new wage. He concluded by reiterating the union’s commitment to ensuring that the process is completed as soon as possible.
