By Milcah Tanimu

Governors from Nigeria’s 36 states have collectively deemed a minimum wage higher than N70,000 as unaffordable and unsustainable. Meeting under the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), they discussed the country’s economic challenges and the ongoing minimum wage debate.

Options considered ranged from N60,000, previously offered to Labour by the Federal Government, to N70,000, currently implemented by Edo State. However, the governors failed to reach a consensus on a uniform minimum wage. They have established a committee, led by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, to review these options and provide recommendations.

Sources at the meeting revealed that the governors agreed that a N100,000 minimum wage is unfeasible, especially since some states are struggling to pay the current N30,000 wage, implemented in 2019. In fact, some states are still paying the previous N18,000 minimum wage.

“Records show that some states are unable to afford even the N30,000 minimum wage, with only one state adopting a N70,000 wage,” a source disclosed.

This stance aligns with a prior statement by NGF Chairman and Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, who emphasized that states would only agree to a minimum wage that is “affordable and sustainable.”

Meanwhile, the Presidency has denied reports claiming that Finance Minister Wale Edun proposed a new minimum wage of N105,000 to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, clarified that no such proposal was submitted.