The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has approved the immediate payment of N70,000 as the new minimum wage for all administrative staff.
This announcement was made in a statement signed by Anthony Odeh, the Press Secretary to the Head of the Civil Service of the FCT, and shared with journalists on Tuesday.
It is worth noting that in May 2024, President Bola Tinubu signed the new Minimum Wage Bill into law, setting N70,000 as the minimum wage after months of negotiations with organized labor.
According to The PUNCH, the FCT branches of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) had previously warned of a potential shutdown on November 30, 2024, following a directive from their national bodies to begin a nationwide strike over the delayed implementation of the minimum wage in several states, including the FCT.
The unions also accused the Wike-led administration of failing to engage with labor unions since his inauguration in August 2023.
According to the statement, however, Wike approved the payment of the minimum wage on Monday, November 18, 2024, “in a bid to ameliorate the plight of workers under the employ of Federal Capital Territory Administration.”
The Acting Head of Civil Service of FCT, Mrs Grace Adayilo, disclosed that the minister also approved for payment of three months’ arrears for all staff of the administration with effect from November 2024.
The Head of Service said, “This gesture will further spur the entire administration staff to support the minister in continuing to deliver on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.”
The statement further emphasized that this decision was part of the minister’s dedication to improving the welfare and well-being of the staff.