Minimum Wage Update: Ogun Approves N77,000, Gombe Settles on N71,150

Ogun N77,000, Gombe N71,150 Effective Soon

“The Governor promised to set up a monitoring team to see how it is implemented by the private sector...”

Gombe, Ogun States Set New Minimum Wages: N71,451 & N77,000 Respectively

The governments of Ogun and Gombe states have agreed to increase the minimum wage for their workers, aligning with the Federal Government's agreement with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC). This development follows the NLC's acceptance of the proposed N70,000 minimum wage offered by President Bola Tinubu.

According to Joe Ajaero, President of the NLC, the organized labour accepted the proposal due to additional incentives attached to the offer. This move is expected to benefit workers in both Ogun and Gombe states, providing them with a higher standard of living.

Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State has approved a new minimum wage of N77,000 for workers in the state, exceeding the Federal Government's agreed-upon N70,000 minimum wage. This development comes after organized labour and the Federal Government reached an agreement earlier this year to raise the national minimum wage.

The approval was announced by Lekan Adeniran, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, on Monday in Abeokuta. The decision was made following a meeting between the state government, led by Secretary to the State Government Tokunbo Talabi, and the leadership of organized labour in the state.

Key Points:

• New Minimum Wage: N77,000 for Ogun State workers
• Effective Immediately: Payment takes effect right away
• Exceeds National Minimum Wage: Surpasses the Federal Government's N70,000 agreement
• Collaborative Decision: Result of meeting between state government and organized labour leadership

The Ogun State government recently met with organized labour unions, including the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), and Joint Negotiating Council (JNC), to discuss the new minimum wage.

During the meeting, Talabi revealed that Governor Abiodun had initiated the discussion, mandating that no state worker should earn below N77,000 starting October. Additionally, the governor urged the private sector to adopt this policy, acknowledging that their employees face the same economic challenges.

“The Governor promised to set up a monitoring team to see how it is implemented by the private sector to ensure no one is short-changed,” the statement said.

Organized labour in Ogun State is thrilled with Governor Dapo Abiodun's approval of the N77,000 minimum wage, following consultations with union leaders. Hameed Benco, Ogun NLC chairman, expressed satisfaction with this development.

Meanwhile, in Gombe State, the government has also approved a minimum wage increase to N71,500 for civil servants, effective October. Yusuf Aish-Bello, Chairman of the NLC in Gombe, shared this update after signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the new national minimum wage. The Gombe Minimum Wage Negotiation Committee, headed by Deputy Governor Dr. Manassah Jatau, has ensured the agreed-upon wage will be implemented starting October.

The organised labour and Gombe State government finalized their agreement on Monday, solidifying the new minimum wage of N71,451 for state and local government civil service employees. This milestone was achieved through a signed agreement, formally sealing the deal between the two parties.

According to Mr. Yusuf Aish-Bello, Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress in Gombe, the agreement was officially signed on Monday, marking a significant victory for workers in the state. The signing ceremony was overseen by Deputy Governor Dr. Manassah Daniel Jatau, who chairs the minimum wage negotiation committee.

“Today, we have reached an agreement on what will be paid to civil servants in the state,” Aish-Bello said.

“It has been agreed that the minimum standard of paying in Gombe State will be N71,551.15 which is for Grade Level 1 step 1.

“You know the salary structure has its own intricacies; the N18,000 and N30,000 is nothing to write home about.

“Most especially on the issue of basics that was our focus as it forms what you get when you retire.

“The highest quantum will be on the basic for our civil servants, especially for those retiring and we have achieved over 60 per cent.

“Level one will have basic of N42,000 and this descends in consequential adjustment on the basic. The more it's going up, the amount comes down by consequential adjustment.

“What is left now is 40 per cent, which is spread on the allowances there as minimum wage; that was how we arrived at N71,551.”

The Gombe State government addressed concerns about unpaid arrears by implementing a N10,000 palliative for workers, effective September 2023. Labour unions acknowledged this gesture as a positive step. This development comes after Governor Muhammadu Yahaya initially expressed doubts about the state's ability to pay the new N70,000 minimum wage.

Earlier, Deputy Governor Manassah Jatau, chair of the Gombe State Minimum Wage Committee, confirmed that the government had reached an agreement with labour union leaders. As part of this agreement, the new minimum wage will take effect in October, bringing relief to workers in the state.

Developments:

• N10,000 Palliative: Implemented since September 2023
• Labour Union Response: Unions consider the gesture positive
• Minimum Wage Agreement: Sealed between government and labour leaders
• Implementation Timeline: New minimum wage effective October