Sanwo-Olu Boosts Workers' Pay: N85,000 Minimum Wage Approved

Sanwo-Olu Supports Lagos Workers with N85,000

“I'm glad to let you know that the minimum wage for Lagos, which we have discussed with our...

Lagos State boosts workers' income: Governor Sanwo-Olu approves N85,000 minimum wage for civil servants, exceeding federal standards.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has made a groundbreaking announcement, approving N85,000 as the new minimum wage for civil servants in the state. “I'm glad to let you know that the minimum wage for Lagos, which we have discussed with our union, is N85,000 today,” Sanwo-Olu declared on Wednesday. This significant increase positions Lagos as the state with the highest minimum wage in the country, surpassing other states that have revealed their pay structures thus far.

Sanwo-Olu clarified that his government's motivation wasn't to surpass other states. “It is not a competition. I am not going to say that we are paying more than some people, it is a function of affordability capacity,” he explained. This statement emphasizes the administration's focus on ensuring the welfare of its workers, rather than engaging in a competition with other states.

Lagos State previously considered implementing a minimum wage of N75,000. However, the latest announcement surpasses that figure, demonstrating the government's commitment to providing a higher standard of living for its civil servants.

This development follows the national discussion on minimum wage, with some states struggling to implement the proposed N62,000 minimum wage.

The Lagos State government's decision serves as a positive example, prioritizing the well-being of its workers.

”It is not a competition. I am not going to say that we are paying more than some people, it is a function of affordability and capacity,” he explained.

“We know too well that when people live in Lagos, it has a premium in terms of the cost of living. We are fully aware.

“We also increased our salary earlier in the year. I will want to come back in January and say that I have been able to increase the minimum wage of Lagos to N100,000, not because I want to make anybody look bad, but because I want my people to have a living wage.”

The Nigerian government and labor unions agreed to increase the national minimum wage to N70,000 earlier this year, marking a significant development in the country's labor landscape. This new wage rate was finalized after six months of intense negotiations between the federal government and organized labor.

President Bola Tinubu played a key role in brokering the agreement, which also includes provisions for reviewing the minimum wage every three years. This move is expected to benefit millions of Nigerian workers, providing them with a better standard of living.

However, labour unions initially demanded a minimum wage of N250,000, but ultimately accepted the N70,000 offer due to economic challenges. The agreement has been hailed as a major breakthrough, demonstrating the government's commitment to improving workers' welfare.