Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has approved a new minimum wage of N77,000 for the lowest-paid workers in the state, making Ogun the state with the highest minimum wage in Nigeria. The new wage takes effect immediately and reflects the government’s commitment to alleviating the economic challenges faced by workers.
The decision was announced following a meeting between the governor, represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr. Tokunbo Talabi, and leaders of the Organized Labour in Ogun State. The labour representatives included the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), and the Joint Negotiating Council (JNC).
Governor Abiodun, through the SSG, affirmed that no worker in Ogun State should earn less than N77,000 starting from October. He highlighted the proactive steps his administration is taking to ease the financial burden on workers, emphasizing the importance of improving living conditions across the state.
In addition, Governor Abiodun urged the private sector to follow the government’s lead and adopt a similar minimum wage for their employees. He noted that the private sector is not immune to the current economic realities and should engage in discussions with relevant stakeholders to arrive at a fair wage structure. To ensure compliance, the governor plans to establish a monitoring team that will oversee the implementation of the new wage policy in the private sector, ensuring that no worker is short-changed.
The leadership of the Organized Labour praised the governor for his worker-friendly policies. Comrade Hameed Benco, the state NLC Chairman, expressed his satisfaction with the N77,000 minimum wage, noting that Ogun has set a new benchmark as the highest-paying state in the country. Benco pointed out that other states implementing the new minimum wage are offering N70,000 or N70,250, making Ogun’s offer a significant milestone.
He also appreciated the government’s approval of labour’s request that the new basic salary not be taxed, further benefiting workers. Comrade Akeem Lasisi of the TUC and Comrade Isa Olude of the JNC echoed these sentiments, praising the government’s decision and noting that consequential adjustments for pensioners and other sectors will be announced following consultations with relevant stakeholders.
Ogun State Head of Service, Mr. Kehinde Onasanya, commended the governor’s decision, describing the approval of the generous minimum wage as a demonstration of the administration’s responsiveness to the plight of workers. He expressed confidence that the move would boost the morale of workers and increase their dedication to the implementation of the government’s policies.
The N77,000 minimum wage marks a significant milestone for Ogun State, setting a national precedent and encouraging both public and private sectors to enhance the living standards of their workers.
