Jigawa State Governor Umar Namadi has suspended his Special Adviser on Salary and Pensions, Bashir Ado, for issuing what the government called a “premature statement” about the implementation of the new N70,000 minimum wage.
The suspension was announced in a statement released on Saturday by Bala Ibrahim, the Secretary to the State Government.
The controversy arose after reports surfaced in the media claiming that Governor Namadi had approved the new N70,000 minimum wage for state workers.
However, Ibrahim clarified that the announcement was premature and did not represent the official stance of the government.
“The government viewed with serious concern a statement circulating in various sections of the media alleging that the governor has approved N70,000 as the new minimum wage for workers in the state.
This sounds embarrassing and premature as the committee headed by the Head of the State Civil Service, set up by the government to advice on the appropriate wage, is yet to complete its assignment and submit a report,” he said.
Ibrahim explained that, as a result of the incident, the governor had approved the immediate suspension of Ado, pending the outcome of an investigation.
“The committee, chaired by Bello Abdulkadir, the Attorney-General of the state and Commissioner for Justice, has been given two weeks to investigate the source and actual content of the alleged statement, as well as the motive behind it,” he added.
The investigative committee also includes Sagir Musa, Commissioner for Information, Youth, Sports, and Culture; Abdullahi Muhammad, Commissioner for Health; and Muhammad Yahaya, Permanent Secretary of Establishment and Service Matters in the office of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG). The committee is expected to present its findings within two weeks.
This development follows the recent signing of a new minimum wage bill into law by President Bola Tinubu on July 29, 2024, which raised the country’s minimum wage from N30,000 to N70,000.
In September 2024, the Federal Government also approved an upward revision of the Consolidated Public Service Salary Structure (CONPSS), heightening expectations among workers nationwide.
Governor Namadi’s decision to suspend Ado signals his administration’s cautious approach to wage increases, pending the committee’s recommendations. The government stressed that any decisions regarding the new minimum wage would be made after a thorough review of the committee’s report.
The situation has sparked mixed reactions among workers in Jigawa. While some labor representatives expressed disappointment over the suspension, calling it a setback for workers’ expectations, others defended the governor’s stance, urging a more measured approach by the government.
“It is unfortunate that the premature announcement has created confusion, but we must allow the committee to do its job,” said a state worker who requested anonymity. “The new wage law is a positive step for all Nigerian workers, but implementation should be done properly to ensure sustainability.”
The committee’s findings are expected to shed light on the circumstances surrounding the statement and help determine the way forward regarding the new minimum wage in Jigawa State.