Workers in Rivers State have expressed their joy following the state government's implementation of the newly approved N85,000 minimum wage. The wage adjustment was reflected in the November salary alerts received by public school teachers and other state employees, confirming that the new wage had been fully applied.
In July 2024, President Bola Tinubu had approved a national minimum wage of N70,000, influenced by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to address the country’s economic challenges. However, Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State opted to implement a higher rate of N85,000, which he promised to sustain through the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).
Governor Fubara also reported a significant increase in the state's IGR, which surged from N11 billion under the previous administration to N27 billion under his leadership.
Chukwuma Osunna, Chairman of the Nigeria Civil Service Union (Rivers State chapter), confirmed the successful payment of the new wage, stating, "The governor has fulfilled his promise. As of today, November 27, 2024, workers have received the N85,000 new minimum wage and are very happy."
In a related development, the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Kano State commended the local government for approving a N71,000 minimum wage. Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano had announced the increase in October, with implementation starting in November. Both the NLC and NMA praised the increase, emphasizing its positive impact on the welfare of the state’s workforce.
