The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, may withdraw from the planned December 1 strike following Minister Nyesom Wike’s directive for the implementation of the new minimum wage for civil servants.
Wike’s approval, in line with the new Minimum Wage Bill signed into law in May 2024 by President Bola Tinubu, was announced in a statement by Anthony Odeh, Press Secretary to the Head of the Civil Service of the FCT, on Tuesday, November 19.
Investors King reported that after the N70,000 minimum wage for Nigerian workers was signed into law—following months of negotiation with organised labour—many state governors failed to implement it. This prompted the NLC to instruct its members in the affected states to embark on an indefinite strike starting December 1, 2024.
The directive was announced in a communiqué by NLC President Joe Ajaero after the union’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The FCT chapters of the Nigerian Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress had also threatened to shut down activities on November 30, aligning with Ajaero’s directive.
However, as the unions prepared for industrial action, Minister Wike approved the immediate payment of the new minimum wage on Monday, November 18, according to Odeh.
Odeh highlighted that this move is part of Wike’s efforts to address the welfare of civil servants in the FCT.
The statement read: “In a bid to ameliorate the plight of workers under the employ of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, the minister has approved the payment of the minimum wage.”
Minister Wike also authorized the payment of three months’ arrears for all FCT workers. This additional approval was disclosed by the Acting Head of Civil Service of the FCT, Mrs. Grace Adayilo.
According to Adayilo, the gesture, which underscores Wike’s dedication to workers’ welfare, “will further motivate the entire administration staff to support the minister in delivering on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.”