Wike Approves N70,000 Minimum Wage for FCT Workers, Promises 3-Month Arrears

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has approved the immediate implementation of the newly agreed national minimum wage of N70,000 for all employees within the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).

This decision was confirmed in a statement issued by Anthony Odeh, the Press Secretary to the Head of the Civil Service of the FCT, and released to the media on Tuesday. The statement underscored the minister’s dedication to improving the welfare of FCT workers.

Mrs. Grace Adayilo, the Acting Head of Civil Service of the FCT, announced that the new wage will take effect from November 2024, and all workers will receive arrears for the past three months. She further emphasized that this step aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Adayilo stated, “This move will inspire the administration staff to support the minister in advancing the goals of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.”

It’s important to note that President Tinubu had signed the Minimum Wage Bill into law in May 2024, which increased the national minimum wage to N70,000 following extensive negotiations with labor unions. However, some states, including the FCT, faced delays in implementing the new wage, which led to unrest among workers.

The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in the FCT had threatened to initiate a nationwide strike by November 30, 2024, to protest the non-implementation of the new wage in several states. They also criticized the Wike-led FCT Administration for not meeting with labor unions since his appointment in August 2023.

The minister’s decision aims to “ease the challenges faced by workers employed by the Federal Capital Territory Administration,” as stated in the official release.