Organized Labour has called on Nigerians to exercise patience with both Federal and State Governments regarding the delay in implementing the newly approved minimum wage. The workers’ union has clarified that there is no evidence suggesting a deliberate attempt by the Federal Government to avoid paying the new wage, and thus, absolves the government of any wrongdoing in this regard.
Prof. Theophilus Ndubuaku, Deputy President of the Nigeria Labour Congress Political Commission, made these statements during an interview on Monday. He highlighted that despite President Bola Tinubu signing the new minimum wage law on July 29 after consultations with leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, the implementation process is still underway.
Currently, only seven states—Kano, Kwara, Ogun, Borno, Jigawa, Ondo, and Abia—have established committees to oversee the implementation of the new N70,000 minimum wage. In contrast, several other states, including Plateau, Kebbi, Sokoto, Nasarawa, Bayelsa, Delta, Osun, Ekiti, Zamfara, Benue, Enugu, Taraba, Gombe, Kogi, Adamawa, Niger, Anambra, Imo, Ebonyi, Oyo, Akwa Ibom, Bauchi, Katsina, Kaduna, Cross River, and Yobe, have yet to set up such panels.
In addition to this, Lagos and Edo states have reportedly started implementing the new wage. Meanwhile, the Adamawa state government has recently joined the list of states committing to pay the new minimum wage.
Ndubuaku acknowledged that while there might be a slight delay in fully rolling out the new wage due to the intricate process of adjusting wage scales from level one, step one, through to level 16, the delay is not unexpected. He pointed out that the adjustment process involves detailed calculations and the compilation of wage data, which must be carefully managed.
He reassured the public that the necessary adjustments are underway, and a committee has been designated to facilitate these changes. Ndubuaku expressed optimism that the implementation process will be completed by the end of August, emphasizing that patience is crucial as these administrative tasks are carried out.