Lagos has not increased minimum wage to N70,000 — Commissioner clarifies

The Lagos state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Gbenga Omotoso has clarified that the state has not increased its minimum wage for workers to N70,000.

In a statement issued on Thursday, Omotoso noted that the Governor was erroneously quoted as saying that a new minimum wage of N70,000 had been announced.

Providing clarity, Omotoso said, “The Lagos State Government has not increased the minimum wage, contrary to the impression in some media reports, which emanated from the unveiling of Eko Cares – the umbrella for the various interventions to protect the poor against the effects of the prevailing economic hardship. The event was held at the Governor’s Office in Ikeja on Wednesday.”

“Mr. Governor never said so. He said since January, civil servants had been earning the N35,000 wage award directed by the Federal Government.  In other words, those earning N35,000 now earn N70,000. He did not announce a new minimum wage of N70,000.”

He quoted the Governor as saying, “I know that by the grace of God very very soon we’ll see a new minimum wage that will be approved for the Federal Government and for the state government. The civil servants and all public officers know that since January we have continued to pay the minimum wage allowance of N35,000 over and above what they were earning before.

“People that were earning a minimum of N35,000 to N40,000 before, they are now earning over N70,000. So, it’s important for people to know and for us to lay this thing very clearly. This government has doubled up and has not left its citizens on their own…”