INTRO: Despite the signing of the Minimum Wage Act in 2024, which raised the national minimum wage from N30,000 to N70,000, many state governments across Nigeria have yet to fully implement the new policy — particularly at the local government level and for primary school teachers. Now, the governors are being chastised for it.
The reasons why 20 governors are criticized for delaying the N70,000 minimum wage are:
1. Partial Implementation of the Wage Law: While some states began paying the new minimum wage to state workers, they excluded local government workers and primary school teachers. This selective compliance has triggered outrage, particularly among labor unions like the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) and the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT).
2. Neglect of LG Autonomy: The delay in issuing a circular by the Central Bank of Nigeria for LGAs to open independent bank accounts has hindered full autonomy. This has allowed state commissioners of finance to continue controlling local funds, frustrating direct payment of allocations and impacting salary disbursements.
3. Broken Promises by Governors: Some governors assured union leaders that they would begin implementation but failed to follow through. This lack of accountability has fueled mistrust and heightened tensions between governments and workers’ unions.
4. Persistent Non-payment of the 2019 N30,000 Minimum Wage: Shockingly, several states, including Zamfara, Yobe, and Taraba, have not even implemented the 2019 N30,000 minimum wage for teachers. The failure to pay even the previous wage increment casts doubt on their willingness to comply with the new N70,000 law.
5. Heavy Taxation Canceling Wage Gains: In states like Kwara, though the N70,000 minimum wage has been implemented, workers are heavily taxed. The increased taxation significantly reduces take-home pay, leaving workers with little to show for the wage increase.
6. Inconsistent Payment Schedules: Workers in some states reported delayed implementation. For example, Sokoto workers confirmed that although the wage had been approved, salaries for January and February were only paid weeks later, causing financial instability for employees.
7. Repeated Strikes by Disgruntled Teachers: In the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), teachers have embarked on multiple strikes in protest of the non-implementation of the wage. This has disrupted academic calendars and highlighted the depth of dissatisfaction within the education sector.
8. Poor Communication and Transparency: The lack of communication between councils and teachers' unions—especially regarding salary payments—has worsened the situation. Teachers feel sidelined and neglected by local authorities who fail to keep them informed or involved in wage discussions.
9. Absence of Allowances and Arrears: Workers have also demanded payment of arrears and allowances, such as the 40% peculiar allowance. The non-payment of these entitlements adds to the perception that governors are indifferent to the welfare of frontline public servants.
10. Rising Economic Hardship: The wage increase was meant to cushion the effects of inflation and hardship, but its delay only worsens the plight of Nigerian workers, many of whom are already struggling to survive on meager incomes.
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