The industrial action by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) over the non-implementation of the new national minimum wage has caused a shutdown of civil service activities in several states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State threatened to replace any workers who failed to return to work, stating that not only would their salaries be withheld, but they would also be replaced within 72 hours. Nwifuru expressed anger over the strike, insisting that his government had fulfilled its obligations to workers and had paid salaries as per agreements.
The strike also had significant impacts in Nasarawa, Kaduna, and the FCT. In Nasarawa, official activities came to a halt across the 13 local government areas, with institutions like the State House of Assembly, Federal University Teaching Hospital, and various ministries being shut down. The Nasarawa NLC Chairman, Ismaila Okoh, emphasized the workers’ demand for a written agreement on the N70,500 minimum wage, following verbal commitments from the state government.
In Kaduna, workers went on strike over the government’s failure to implement the necessary adjustments to the new minimum wage, even though the state was already paying a minimum gross salary of N72,000. The state’s NLC Chairman, Ayuba Suleiman, dismissed the government’s explanation that the issue was tied to limited revenue and called for full implementation of the adjustments.
The FCT NLC also joined the strike, demanding the implementation of a N70,000 minimum wage. Abdullahi Kabi, President of the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) in the FCT, criticized the lack of action by the FCT Area Council chairmen and emphasized the demoralizing effects of the unmet demands on workers.
Read also:
- Nigeria Commits to Malaria Elimination as Vaccine Rollout Begins in Kebbi and Bayelsa States
- President Tinubu Assures French Investors: Nigeria Is Open for Business and Ready for Investment
- House Deputy Spokesman Backs Tinubu’s Tax Reforms, Urges Support for Nationwide Economic Growth
In contrast, civil servants in Zamfara State ignored the strike directive, continuing their work as usual. The state government has promised to implement the new minimum wage after completing a verification process.
This ongoing industrial action underscores the frustration of workers across Nigeria over the delayed implementation of the new national minimum wage and the failure of state governments to meet their obligations.
