Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on Tuesday approved N70,000 as the new minimum wage for their workers.
Oyebanji’s approval followed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) by the state government and leaders of organized labour in the state.
A statement by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, Yinka Oyebode, stated that the new minimum wage would be effective from December 1.
The wage agreement was signed on behalf of the state government by the Head of Service, Dr. Folakemi Olomojobi, while leaders of the labour centres in the state signed on behalf of workers.
Olomojobi said Oyebanji approved the template the way it was presented by the committee based on the governor’s commitment to prioritizing workers’ welfare and well-being.
The HoS described Oyebanji as a “worker-friendly governor,” who desired the best for workers in the state, thanked the labour leaders for their understanding, patience and dexterity in achieving the best for the workers.
Olomojobi said, “Today is another landmark in the history of Ekiti State as we come together to sign the new minimum wage for Ekiti State Public servants. I want to first appreciate our governor, who on the 31st August 2024, put together the committee to negotiate Ekiti State public service minimum wage.
“This committee has taken not less than eight weeks to meet to deliberate on the minimum wage for Ekiti State. I want to emphasize that this was a very painstaking process; it was a process that brought to bear the funds available to Ekiti. In the midst of this, Mr. Governor bent forward and backward to accommodate our yearnings, and today, we have agreed on the minimum wage to be paid in Ekiti State.”
In their remarks, the state chairmen of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Kolapo Olatunde; Trade Union Congress (TUC), Sola Adigun; and the Joint Negotiating Council, Femi Ajoloko, lauded Oyebanji for his efforts at giving the best to Ekiti workers.
The FCT Minister, Wike, on Tuesday, approved the immediate payment of N70,000 new minimum wage for all staff of the administration.
The Press Secretary to the Head of the Civil Service of the FCT, Anthony Odeh, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday.
According to the statement, Wike gave the approval for the payment of the minimum wage “in a bid to ameliorate the plight of workers under the employ of Federal Capital Territory Administration.”
The acting Head of Civil Service of the FCT, Mrs. Grace Adayilo, disclosed that the minister also granted approval for payment of three months’ arrears for all staff of the administration with effect from November 2024.
“This gesture will further spur the entire staff of the administration to support the minister to continue to deliver on the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” the HoS said.
Meanwhile, the leadership of the NLC in Sokoto State has submitted a minimum wage template to the state government.
The NLC secretary in Sokoto, Hamisu Hussain, who spoke with newsmen on Tuesday, said the union had since on Monday evening submitted the document to the office of the state Deputy Governor.
The Deputy Governor, Alhaji Idris Mohammed Gobir, had, while answering questions from newsmen shortly after a meeting with leaders of the Labour union on Monday, said he would facilitate the process of harmonization.
The deputy governor said the state government was committed to the implementation of the new minimum wage to its workforce.
“Go and bring your proposal for the new minimum wage implementation and I can assure you that I will facilitate the process of quick harmonization.
“The state government, under our performing Governor, Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto, is fully committed to the implementation of the new minimum wage to the state workforce,” Gobir said.
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