In the Minimum wage updates 2025: Oyo leads with ₦80,000. As Oyo State has set the standard by implementing a new minimum wage updates 2025 of ₦80,000, making it one of the first states in Nigeria to comply with the updated salary structure.
In a significant step forward, several Nigerian states are gearing up to meet the January 2025 deadline for implementing the new minimum wage updates. Organized Labour in four states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has expressed optimism that workers will begin receiving their salary increases soon. Meanwhile, Oyo State has taken the lead, officially starting payment of ₦80,000 as its new minimum wage updates 2025.
Minimum Wage Updates 2025 (Oyo State Sets the Pace)
On January 1, 2025, Oyo State workers saw their first payment under the new wage structure, totaling ₦12 billion. According to Oyo’s Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade, workers on Grade Levels 1 to 6 now enjoy a minimum increase of ₦50,000, while salaries for those on Grade Level 17 have risen by over ₦180,000. Governor Seyi Makinde fulfilled his promise to prioritize workers’ welfare, a move that has been widely commended by labor unions.
Other States Set to Follow
States like Imo, Sokoto, and Akwa Ibom, alongside the FCT, have confirmed plans to commence the new minimum wage by the end of January.
- Imo State: The state’s NLC Chairman, Uche Nwigwe, noted that while inflation continues to challenge workers, the government has assured that the payment process will begin promptly.
- Sokoto State: Secretary of the Sokoto NLC, Hamisu Hussaini, confirmed that the state government had finalized arrangements for payment and has begun verifying its workforce.
- Akwa Ibom State: Governor Umo Eno has authorized payment of ₦80,000 as the new minimum wage for 45,985 verified public servants, effective from November 2024. Workers in the state are eagerly awaiting this adjustment to mitigate rising living costs.
- FCT: According to Kabir Abdullahi, Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees, FCT workers expect salaries and arrears to be paid soon, once the Federal Government’s allocations are finalized.
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A Nationwide Push for Higher Wages (The Back History)
President Bola Tinubu approved a new national minimum wage of ₦70,000 in July 2024, pledging to review the structure every three years. However, disparities in state compliance have raised concerns. While states like Lagos, Rivers, Edo, and Ogun began payments in 2024, others have faced delays due to budgetary constraints.
In December 2024, Labour Minister Muhammad Dingyadi assured that most states and the FCT would implement the new minimum wage by January 2025. This reassurance came after a failed strike attempt by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in December, as some state chapters withdrew at the last moment.
Calls for Full Compliance
The NLC’s National Treasurer, Hakeem Ambali, urged governors not only to implement the new wage but also to settle outstanding arrears. Ambali emphasized that paying the minimum wage is a legal obligation, stressing that timely implementation is essential for industrial harmony.
“Labor is hopeful that these governors will pay the arrears and the new wage because it is a function of the law,” he said, while calling for another wage adjustment to address inflation’s impact on workers.
The TUC National Deputy President, Tommy Etim-Okon, also warned state governments of the consequences of non-compliance. “Payment of salaries is a right, not a privilege,” he noted, highlighting the hardships workers face amid rising costs, including increased telecom tariffs.
What Lies Ahead
The new minimum wage updates 2025 implementation marks a crucial step toward easing economic hardship for Nigerian workers. However, unions argue that further adjustments and economic interventions are necessary to provide real relief.
As states like Oyo lead the charge, the coming weeks will determine how other states align with the January deadline. For now, workers and labor unions are closely monitoring compliance, eager for long-overdue financial relief.
Stay informed for updates on Dopegram for the implementation of the new minimum wage updates and its impact across Nigerian states.
