Nigerian Governors who are yet to implement the approved N70,000 minimum wage have been criticised by the Director General of the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), Adewale Oyerinde.
According to Oyerinde, there is no state in Nigeria that has an excuse for failing to comply with the new wage regime, despite appreciable increment in monthly allocations to state governments.
Speaking in an interview on Tuesday, the NECA DG mentioned that the Federal Government’s consistent financial support to states has significantly increased their revenue, making any claims of inadequate funds indefensible.
For him, “The issue of having funds to pay the ₦70,000 also doesn’t arise because it is no more hidden that the Federal Government is consistently supporting the state governments.
“The Federal Government’s allocation to states has increased proportionately. So with a little fiscal discipline, no state should complain that they cannot pay the ₦70,000 as approved by the president.”
He urged state governors to ensure that the new minimum wage is captured in their 2025 budgets.
Addressing potential resistance from some states, Oyerinde urged the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress to adopt stronger and more proactive strategies to ensure governors comply with the implementation of the new wage.
He said, “If they refuse to pay, because capacity is not an issue now, I think the NLC and TUC probably will have to engage more, probably change their strategy for engagement so that they can get all the states to pay.”
Oyerinde emphasised the importance of strict adherence to the ₦70,000 minimum wage, despite economic obstacles generated by its ratification.
He urged stakeholders to uphold their obligations.
The reality is that ₦70,000 has come to stay, and everybody should align with the law except those exempted,” he maintained.
