Adamawa Governor Initiates Payment Of ₦70,000 Minimum Wage

Adamawa Governor Initiates Payment Of ₦70,000 Minimum Wage

Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri’s led government of Adamawa State has initiated the disbursement of the ₦70,000 minimum wage recently approved by President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Recall that President Tinubu recently signed the new Minimum Wage bill into law following the approval of the Senate.

This development comes after extensive discussions with organized labour.

Despite some governors expressing their inability to meet the ₦70,000 minimum wage due to economic constraints, Governor Fintiri has taken the lead by commencing payments for state employees starting in August 2024, with a commitment that local government workers will receive the increased salary by September.

Naija News understands that this decision has led to widespread joy among civil servants in the state.

Various sources, including state employees who have already received their salaries, confirmed this positive change to Daily Trust on Saturday.

Many workers have expressed gratitude to the governor for honouring his commitment, referring to him as a “man of his word.”

The rollout of the new minimum wage is being celebrated as a notable accomplishment for the Fintiri administration, which has earned the moniker “Fresh Air Government” from its supporters.

Meanwhile, the Gombe State Governor, Mohammed Inuwa Yahaya, has emphasized that implementing the new ₦70,000 minimum wage must be accompanied by a consequential adjustment.

He made this statement last weekend while addressing State House correspondents following a meeting with Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

Governor Yahaya explained that a committee, led by his deputy, is already in place to oversee the implementation of the new minimum wage in Gombe State.

He highlighted the importance of each state following the process meticulously to ensure the correct implementation of the wage adjustment.

When asked about Gombe State’s readiness to implement the new minimum wage, Yahaya stated, “Most states have set up committees. In Gombe, we have a standing committee, which we had since 2020, and it is headed by the deputy governor.

“They are working with the labour unions and all other members to try to see that we get through; it’s a law, according to, the Senate President.”

Further discussing the implementation in his state, Yahaya added, “Implementation normally has to go with consequential adjustment, and the state has to go with the process properly so that we kick it and get it right.”

It is worth noting that the previous minimum wage of ₦30,000 expired on April 18, 2024, and the new ₦70,000 minimum wage, along with the consequential adjustment, is expected to take effect starting in May.

Meanwhile, organized labour has urged the government not to stop paying workers the ₦35,000 wage award when the ₦70,000 new minimum wage becomes effective.

The Lagos State Chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) appealed a position made known on Friday by its chairman, Funmi Sessi.