Kebbi state agrees to pay new N70,000 minimum wage

Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris has committed to implementing the newly approved national minimum wage of N70,000 for state employees.

Governor Idris, who prior to his election was a prominent labor leader, informed labor representatives on Friday that the state government is prepared to implement the new minimum wage. He cautioned against premature judgments that his administration had failed to comply with the wage increase, noting that the federal government had not yet started payments either, pending finalization of the necessary procedures.

He explained, “Even the federal government, which authorized the new wage, has not yet begun payments as the modalities are still being worked out. Once the procedures are clear, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and my administration will collaborate to determine the best way to proceed with the implementation.”

Regarding the deductions from August salaries, Governor Idris clarified that the N500 annual development levy, a remnant from the former Sokoto state, was the only amount deducted, and this practice is legally sanctioned. He emphasized that these deductions totaled only N11 million.

Murtala Usman, the state Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), expressed gratitude to the governor, praising him as the “most labor-friendly” leader in the country.