Rivers First To Implement Minimum Wage

Rivers State has made history by becoming the first state in Nigeria to fully implement the new N85,000 minimum wage for its workers, exceeding the Federal Government’s approved N70,000 minimum wage.
The Tide reports that the State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, fulfilled his promise to commence payments in November, bringing relief to civil servants in the State.
The commencement of the payment of the N85,000 minimum wage sparked jubilation across the Rivers State Government Secretariat in Port Harcourt, last Thursday as workers began receiving bank alerts reflecting the new wage.
Many workers expressed gratitude to the governor for his commitment to prioritizing their welfare, particularly as the yuletide season approaches.
This is as 14 states and the Federal Capital Territory are yet to implement the new minimum wage, compelling the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to declare indefinite strike in those states and the FCT.
Fubara had emphasized his administration’s commitment to prioritise worker’s welfare in the State despite financial challenges, including attempts to block access to state funds.
Speaking during the launch of the 2025 Armed Forces Emblem Appeal Fund, the governor described the minimum wage payment as part of his “Rivers people first” agenda, which aims to ensure good governance and improve living standards.
“This administration is determined to put happiness in the minds of our people,” Governor Fubara said, reaffirming his commitment to fostering trust between the government and its workforce.
The new minimum wage, introduced amidst widespread economic hardship, highlights Rivers State’s progressive stance on labor rights and economic welfare.
It also sets a benchmark for other states to follow, as many civil servants nationwide continue to struggle with inflation and high living costs.
NLC had, on November 10, given states up to December 1 to implement the minimum wage or face industrial action.
The labour union had expressed deep frustration with the persistent delay and outright refusal by some state governments to implement the 2024 National Minimum Wage Act.
It had declared that the delays betrayed the confidence they had in the states, noting that “the act of betrayal by certain governors and government officials across the country flies in the face of both legality and morality, as workers continue to be denied their rightful wages amidst rising economic hardship.”
“It is a blatant disregard for the law and the lives of millions of Nigerian workers, who are being exploited by the very leaders sworn to protect them.”
NLC, therefore, resolved to set up a National Minimum Wage Implementation Committee that will among others commence a nationwide assessment, mobilization and sensitization campaign, educating workers and citizens on the need to resist this assault on their dignity and rights.
“To this end, all state Councils where the National Minimum Wage has not been fully implemented by the last day of November, 2024 have been directed to proceed on strike beginning from the 1st day of December, 2024. Nigerian workers demand justice, and justice they shall have,” NLC directed.
The NLC, in a statement signed by its General Secretary, Emmanuel Ugboaja, last Friday, said states such as Abia, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Ebonyi, Ekiti, Enugu, Imo, Nasarawa and Kaduna are yet to begin the implementation of the minimum wage.
Others are: Katsina, Oyo, Sokoto, Yobe, Zamfara and the Federal Capital Territory FCT.
In a letter sent to the NLC chairpersons of the affected states on the 29th of November, the union directed the state chapters to immediately commence implementation of the directives to embark on strike, with effect from Monday, 2nd December, 2024.

By: Boye Salau