Niger State Governor Umaru Bago has approved an increase in the minimum wage for civil servants to N80,000, making it the highest in Nigeria's northern region. The announcement was made on Friday by the governor's special adviser on digital media and strategy, Abdullberqy Usman Ebbo. The new wage is set to take effect in November, aiming to enhance the welfare of workers in the state.
This decision places Niger State at the forefront of northern states regarding minimum wage, following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent signing of the minimum wage bill into law. The legislation raised the national minimum wage baseline from N30,000 to N70,000, prompting governors across the country to review and increase their state's minimum wage to meet the new standards.
Several governors in the southern region have also responded swiftly to the wage reform. On Thursday, Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State approved an N80,000 minimum wage for civil servants. Similarly, Umo Eno, the governor of Akwa Ibom, implemented the same wage structure earlier in the week. Lagos and Rivers States set even higher wage standards, with Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Rivers Governor Siminalayi Fubara both establishing N85,000 as the minimum wage for their public sector workers.
This move by Niger State signals a growing commitment by state governments to uphold improved pay structures for civil servants, aligning with the federal government's drive to increase workers' standard of living. As Niger State's announcement continues to gain traction, updates will be shared through verified news channels and social media platforms.
