Nigerian Governors Reject N60,000 Minimum Wage Proposal, Says It’s Not Sustainable

The Nigeria Governors’ Forum has disagreed with the Federal Government’s proposal of a N60,000 minimum wage, stating that it’s not practical and won’t work.

KanyiDaily recalls that the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) had embarked on an indefinite strike after rejecting the federal government’s N60,000 offer for minimum wage.

However, they later decided to temporarily pause the strike for a week to allow for further discussions with the government, which had pledged to raise the wage from N60,000.

But the 36 state governors are saying that the N60,000 wage is unrealistic and unsustainable, arguing that if it’s implemented, some states would have to resort to borrowing just to pay their workers.

In a statement released on Friday by Halimah Salihu Ahmed, the director of media and public affairs for NGF, the governors emphasized that the proposed minimum wage of N60,000 “cannot work”.

The governors pointed out that many state governments would exhaust their entire budget on salaries, leaving nothing for essential development projects.

They highlighted the need for adjustments across all levels, including for pensioners, but stressed that any agreement reached must be sustainable and practical.

The NGF urged all parties involved, especially the labor unions, to carefully consider all economic factors and come to an agreement that is fair and feasible for all.

The statement reads, “The Nigeria Governors’ Forum is in agreement that a new minimum wage is due. The Forum also sympathises with labour unions in their push for higher wages.

“However, the Forum urges all parties to consider the fact that the minimum wage negotiations also involve consequential adjustments across all cadres, including pensioners.

“The NGF cautions parties in this important discussion to look beyond just signing a document for the sake of it; any agreement to be signed should be sustainable and realistic.

“All things considered, the NGF holds that the N60,000 minimum wage proposal is not sustainable and cannot fly.

“A few states will end up borrowing to pay workers every month. We do not think this will be in the collective interest of the country, including workers.

“We appeal that all parties involved, especially the labour unions, consider all the socioeconomic variables and settle for an agreement that is sustainable, durable, and fair to all other segments of society who have legitimate claims to public resources.”

Meanwhile, Bayo Onanuga, the special adviser on information and strategy to President Bola Tinubu, has debunked the alleged proposal of N105,000 as the new minimum wage.