List of governors who announced over 70,000 minimum wage

By Oluwapelumi Oluwayemi

In improving workers’ welfare in Nigeria, several state governors have expressed their willingness to implement the newly approved ₦70,000 national minimum wage, with some even surpassing the federal guideline.

This decision, endorsed by President Bola Tinubu on July 29, 2024, comes after intense negotiations between the Tripartite Committee, including representatives from Organized Labour, the private sector, and the federal government.

The wage hike is seen as a step toward improving the welfare of Nigerian civil servants and addressing the rising cost of living.

While many governors have welcomed this development, some express concerns about their states’ financial capability to meet the new requirements.

Here’s a list of governors who have committed to implementing above the new minimum wage:

Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos State)

Lagos State has taken a lead in workers’ welfare as Governor Sanwo-Olu approved a minimum wage of ₦85,000 for state workers, surpassing the ₦70,000 wage, during a live interview on Channels TV. He further announced that this will rise to ₦100,000 by January 2025, in his fulfilling his promise to enhancing the living conditions of civil servants in Lagos.

Dapo Abiodun (Ogun State)
Governor Abiodun announced a new minimum wage of ₦77,000 for Ogun State civil servants with implementation on October 14, 2024.

Muhammad Yahaya (Gombe State)
Gombe State governor, Muhammad Yahaya signed an agreement with the Nigeria Labour Congress to pay ₦71,500 as the new minimum wage on October 15, 2024.

Ahmed Ododo (Kogi State)

Kogi State Governor Ododo approved a minimum wage of ₦72,500 for its workers as of October 7, 2024, along with a tax relief measure that exempts the new wage from taxation for one year, helping to reduce financial pressures on workers.

State governors that declared readiness to pay ₦70,000 minimum wage include:

Charles Soludo (Anambra State)
Anambra State governor, Soludo will commence payment of the ₦70,000 minimum wage by the end of October 2024.

Dikko Radda (Katsina State)
Katsina State governor, Radda announced its readiness to implement ₦70,000 during a public engagement on September 5, 2024.

Francis Nwifuru (Ebonyi State)
Ebonyi State Governor, Nwifuru expressed readiness to begin paying ₦70,000 in September 2024.

Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri (Adamawa State)
Governor Fintiri approved ₦70,000 for civil servants on August 19, 2024.

Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo State)
Lucky Aiyedatiwa announced its readiness to implement ₦70,000. The announcement was made before the gubernatorial election in August 2024.

Abdullahi Sule (Nasarawa State)
Nasarawa State declared readiness for the wage increment on August 6, 2024.

Seyi Makinde (Oyo State)
Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde announced the new wage structure since July 29, 2024.

Babagana Zulum (Borno State)
Borno State’s governor declared readiness for the new wage on July 21, 2024.

Ademola Adeleke (Osun State)
Osun State confirmed its commitment to the new minimum wage on July 19, 2024.

Hyacinth Alia (Benue State)
Benue State’s governor announced readiness to pay ₦70,000 as of July 19, 2024.