Nigerian gov announces N80,000 minimum wage for civil servants

The Niger State government has approved a new minimum wage of ₦80,000 for civil servants, set to take effect in November 2024.

Governor Umaru Bago made the announcement following extensive negotiations with the state’s labour union leaders, marking a significant step toward improving workers’ welfare.

Governor Bago assured employees that the state’s commitment to agricultural development would help sustain this new wage structure.

The government aims to leverage agriculture as a key revenue source, ensuring that the wage increase is both achievable and beneficial for the state’s economy.

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This decision has been welcomed by workers as a positive shift toward better livelihoods and economic stability for civil servants.

“This is very sustainable. ₦80,000 is sustainable,” Bago emphasized. “With our agricultural strides, we are sure we can pay. We are creating a civil service farm to encourage productivity among civil servants. With this initiative, we could even consider a minimum wage of ₦1 million.”

The new wage increase will apply to both state and local government civil servants. Governor Bago also confirmed that the October salaries have already been disbursed, meaning the increased wages will officially begin in November.

Expressing his approval, Idris Lafene, the Niger State chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), praised the decision.

“I am delighted. Niger State is now among the leading states in implementing an improved minimum wage,” Lafene said, adding that the ₦80,000 increase exceeded the union’s expectations.

While the new wage is a positive development, Lafene acknowledged that it is still not sufficient to cover current living costs. “₦80,000 is not enough to buy a bag of rice in the market, but it is a step forward,” he stated.