Bayelsa, Jigawa, Niger govs approve new minimum wage for workers

Bayelsa State governor, Senator Douye Diri, has approved N80,000 as the new minimum wage for workers in the state’s civil service.

Governor Diri, who also approved an increase in the monthly pension of retired workers as well as N7 billion to reduce outstanding gratuity liabilities, said the new wage regime will take effect from November 1, 2024.

The governor who announced this through a statement from his spokesperson, Daniel Alabrah, acknowledged the challenging times workers face in the state due to the rise in the cost of living.

He said: “To address the harsh times and in line with the National Minimum Wage (Amendment Act 2024), the Prosperity Administration of His Excellency Senator Douye Diri has approved the sum of N80,000 as minimum wage for the state’s workers.

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“Governor Diri also approved an increase in the monthly pension of state retirees.

“The related consequential adjustments for the various sectors, as agreed with the leadership of labour in the state, will be implemented.”

Similarly, Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago of Niger State has approved N80,000 as Minimum Wage for Niger State civil servants.

The governor announced this after meeting with the Organised Labour in Government House, Minna.

He said the payment would take effect from November and would be for both the state and the local government workers.

He said the Committee on the Minimum Wage will work on the consequential adjustments, assuring that the N80,000 was sustainable, especially with the state’s strides in agriculture.

On his part, Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa State has approved the payment of the new N70,000 National Minimum Wage to workers in the state.

Hon. Sagir Musa, the Commissioner for Information, Youths, Sports and Culture, disclosed this to newsmen in Dutse at the weekend.

He said that Namadi made the pronouncement on Friday after receiving the report from the state’s Minimum Wage Committee led by Muhammad Dagacire, the Head of Service.