The Kaduna State Government has commenced the implementation of the new N72,000 minimum wage, with civil servants on Grade Levels 1โ6 being the first beneficiaries.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Kaduna State Council, confirmed the development during a press briefing on Thursday. While welcoming the move, the union insisted that full implementation for all workers must follow promptly.
The state NLC Chairman, Ayuba Magaji Suleiman, addressed journalists, stating that significant gaps remained, particularly at the local government level and in key sectors.
โWe welcome the commencement of the โฆ72,000 minimum wage implementation for civil servants in Kaduna State. The government has started with Grade Levels 1โ6, but we want to make it clear that this is only the first phase. We expect the implementation to cover all categories of workers, including teachers, healthcare workers, and employees in tertiary institutions and parastatals,โ Suleiman said.
According to the labour leader, the state government has tied the extension of the new wage structure to other categories of workers on the ongoing staff and pension verification exercise, expected to be completed by September 2025.
โWe have been informed that the adjustments for other workers, including pensioners, will only come after the staff and pension verification exercise. While we understand the need for proper documentation, we want the government to fast-track the process so that no category of worker is left behind,โ he added.
Suleiman noted the governmentโs commitment to adopting new salary tables for health workers (CONMESS and CONHESS) in line with the new wage, calling it a โwelcome development.โ However, he lamented that primary school teachers, local government employees, and primary healthcare workers had not yet benefited.
โThis is one area of concern. We want to make it clear that the NLC will continue to engage the government until every workerโstate, local government, education, healthcare, and tertiary institutionsโreceives the โฆ72,000 minimum wage,โ he stressed.
He emphasized that the wage increase was a right, not a favour, given the years of stagnated wages amid a rising cost of living. โOur people have suffered enough. Inflation has eroded salaries, and families are struggling to survive,โ Suleiman stated.
The NLC pledged to keep monitoring the situation and hold the government accountable, urging workers to remain calm and patient.
โWe are in constant dialogue with the state government to address these issues. We urge workers to remain calm, vigilant, and patient. We assure them that we will not relent until full implementation is achieved,โ he said.
Suleiman also called on the government to prioritize fairness and transparency, noting that industrial harmony depended on prompt action. โWhen workers see sincerity and commitment from the government, industrial peace follows naturally,โ he concluded.
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