By Aaior K. Comfort

In the wake of President Bola Tinubu’s approval of a new N70,000 minimum wage for Nigerian workers in July 2024, states across the country are making strides to implement the increase. While some states are yet to adopt the federal directive, several others have announced plans to exceed the mandated wage, citing local economic factors.

Here are the states paying above N70,000:

– Lagos State: Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu raised the minimum wage to N85,000 on October 16, 2024, citing the high cost of living in the state, with a promise to further increase it to N100,000 by January 2025.
– Ogun State: On October 15, 2024, Governor Dapo Abiodun approved a minimum wage of N77,000 for Ogun State workers.
– Gombe State: The state government agreed to raise the minimum wage to N71,451.15 as part of an agreement with the Nigeria Labour Congress.
– Ondo State: Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa increased the minimum wage to N73,000 on October 12, 2024, ahead of the November 16 governorship election.
Governor Usman Ododo approved a N72,500 minimum wage, also suspending taxes on the new wage for one year.

Other states like Anambra, Katsina, Ebonyi, Adamawa, Nasarawa, Oyo, Borno, Osun, and Benue have expressed readiness to adopt the N70,000 minimum wage. However, some states, including Jigawa, Zamfara, Akwa Ibom, and Bayelsa, are yet to announce its implementation.

The gradual adoption of the new wage highlights the economic disparities across the country, with some states needing more time to adjust.