NECA: No State Should Complain About Paying N70,000 Minimum Wage

Adewale Oyerinde, Director General of the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), has stated that state governments have no valid excuse for failing to pay the newly approved N70,000 minimum wage. This comes after President Bola Tinubu approved the bill to increase the minimum wage from N30,000 to N70,000 in July 2024.

In an interview on Arise TV on Tuesday, Oyerinde emphasized that the Federal Government has provided adequate support to state governments to implement the new wage. He dismissed concerns that some states might not have the financial capacity to meet the new wage, stating that the N70,000 minimum wage is now permanent.

“The reality now is that the N70,000 minimum wage is here to stay,” Oyerinde said. “All stakeholders, whether at the federal, state, or local government level, must align with the law, except for those who are exempted.”

Oyerinde also addressed the financial concerns raised by some state governors, reiterating that the Federal Government has consistently supported state governments with increased allocations. He argued that with proper fiscal discipline, no state should claim to be unable to pay the approved wage.

“The issue of funds does not arise. The Federal Government has been consistently supporting the states, and their allocations have increased proportionately. So, with some fiscal discipline, no state should complain about paying the N70,000 minimum wage,” Oyerinde added.

He further warned that if state governors fail to comply with the new minimum wage, the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) would be forced to take action to ensure payment.