Governor Yusuf approves N71,000 as minimum wage
Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has approved a new minimum wage of N71,000 for state civil servants, effective November 2024. This decision was announced during the receipt of the Public Service Negotiation Committee Report, led by the state Head of Civil Service, at the governor’s office.
In a statement from his spokesman, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, Governor Yusuf emphasised that Kano has one of the largest workforces in Nigeria, reflecting its population and unique local needs. He acknowledged the state’s financial constraints, particularly its low Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), which he described as a challenge inherited by the current administration.
Governor Yusuf noted that the implementation of the minimum wage will increase the state’s monthly salary obligations by over N6 billion, with an additional N7 billion required for the 44 local government councils.
He stated, “This approval reflects our commitment to social justice, economic growth, and improving the living standards of our workers and citizens.”
He highlighted the disparity in revenue generation, citing that Kano’s average monthly IGR stands at only N2 billion, in stark contrast to states like Lagos, which generates about N54.3 billion. The governor stressed the need to reform domestic revenue strategies to meet the needs of Kano’s citizens.
Yusuf urged civil servants to enhance service delivery and work collaboratively to ensure transparency and accountability. He reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to prioritising the welfare of civil servants who, despite limited resources, provide essential services to the community.
Additionally, the governor addressed the large-scale hiring undertaken by the previous administration after the 2023 elections, which resulted in 13,000 new hires without proper vetting. He assured that the current administration has reviewed these hires and retained over 12,000 individuals in the civil service.
The Head of Civil Service, Alhaji Abdullahi Musa, commended the committee for its efforts in implementing the new wage smoothly. Comrade Kabiru Inuwa also expressed gratitude to the governor for prioritising civil servant welfare, acknowledging the workforce’s significant size in Nigeria.
