The Niger state government has announced an increase in the minimum wage for state workers to N80,000, set to take effect next month, November.
Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago disclosed this development following a meeting with representatives from organized labor in Minna, where he assured that the new wage is sustainable given the state’s strides in agriculture.
Governor Bago noted that the administration aims to establish civil service farms to boost productivity among civil servants, potentially allowing for further wage increases over time.
He also assured local government workers that they would receive the new minimum wage alongside their counterparts.
Niger State Nigeria Labour Congress Chairman, Comrade Idrees Lafene, expressed satisfaction with the agreement, noting that the governor’s offer exceeded labor expectations.
However, he acknowledged that, while the new wage is an improvement, it may still fall short of meeting the current high cost of living.
“The N80,000 cannot fully offset the price of a bag of rice, but it is a step forward,” Lafene stated
