News

N70,000 Minimum Wage States’ Salaries Rise By 90% To N3.8trn

Published

1 year ago

February 10, 2025

The amount budgeted for personnel costs, including salaries and allowances to state civil servants, has increased from N2.036trillion spent in 2024 to N3.87trillion in the approved 2025 budget.
Although the 36 sub-national allocated a total sum of N2.8tn as salaries costs, it only paid out a total of N2.036trillion within the 12 months of 2024, a reduction of N764billion, according to its budget implementation report.
According to data obtained from the 2025 approved budget of the 36 state governments, the increase occasioned by the implementation of the newly approved N70,000 minimum wage and spiralling political appointments reflects an increase of nearly 90.23 per cent.
The approved budgets are also contained in Open States, a BudgIT-backed website that serves as a repository of government budget data.
The budget report also indicated that at least 27 states of the federation would not be able to pay workers’ salaries this year without having to wait for federal allocations from the central government.
In July 2024, President Bola Tinubu officially approved a significant increase in the minimum wage for Nigerian workers, raising it from N30,000 to N70,000.
This decision came after several months of rigorous discussions and negotiations between the government and labour unions.
However, the implementation of this wage increase has been gradual across the country, with some states still yet to adopt the new minimum wage.
In response to this delay, the Nigerian Labour Congress issued a stern ultimatum to state governments, demanding that they fully implement the new wage structure by December 1, 2024.
Despite this pressure, several states have yet to initiate the payment of the revised minimum wage, further prolonging the financial relief workers were expecting.
An in-depth analysis of the budget document revealed significant variations in personnel costs across states: 20 states saw an increase in personnel expenses exceeding 50 per cent, while 16 states experienced a more modest rise, with salary increases remaining below the 50 per cent threshold.
A further breakdown showed that Abia, Cross Rivers, Ekiti, Niger, Rivers, and Taraba states got the highest increase in its payroll, exceeding 100 per cent of its 2024 personnel cost budget. While Gombe, Osun and Ondo got the lowest salary increase percentage, scoring below 15 per cent.
In a detailed examination of the salary increases across each state, Abia approved a notable increase in its personnel costs, with an escalation from N33.045billion to N77.34billion, representing a 134 per cent increase. Similarly, Adamawa’s personnel cost rose from N48.61billion to N74.23billion, marking a 52.7 per cent increase.
In Akwa Ibom, a sharp surge from N91.74bn to N126.69bn was approved, representing an impressive 38.1 per cent growth.
Anambra state, under Governor Charles Soludo, also approved a significant rise from N34.001bn to N63.41bn, indicating an 86.45 per cent increase.
Bauchi followed suit with an increase from N42.29bn to N70.41bn, showcasing an uplift of approximately 66.5 per cent.
Meanwhile, Bayelsa saw its personnel costs climb from N60.18bn to N114.21bn, a rise of over 89 per cent, signalling an emphasis on investing in its workforce.
In Cross River, the personnel cost grew sharply from N35.02bn to N106.12bn, reflecting a 202 per cent increase, one of the highest among the states. Delta also recorded a notable surge in its expenditure from N139.999bn to N185bn, signalling a growth of about 32.5 per cent.
Ebonyi followed with an increase from N23.076bn to N36.66bn, growing by 58.9 per cent.
Edo with its leap from N74.58bn to N101.29bn, reflected a 35.8 per cent increase, while Ekiti registered a substantial rise from N30.69bn to N62.51bn, almost doubling its personnel cost.
Enugu also saw a substantial rise from N47.988bn to N70.954bn, an increase of 48 per cent.
However, Gombe stood out with a negligible decrease in personnel costs, falling from N40.52bn to N40.28bn, a small dip of just 0.6 per cent.
On the other hand, Imo saw an increase from N41.92bn to N67.4bn, showing an upward trend of 60.9 per cent.
Jigawa experienced a jump from N51.445bn to N90.73bn, an increase of 76.4 per cent, while Kaduna’s personnel costs grew by 23.4 per cent from N68.010bn to N83.94bn.
Kano, one of the largest increases in this analysis, saw its personnel costs skyrocket from N89.97bn to a staggering N150.996bn, an impressive 67.8 per cent rise.
Katsina, which saw an increase from N29.69bn to N58.62bn, experienced a growth rate of 97.6 per cent. In Kogi, the personnel budget grew from N64.798bn to N109.96bn, an increase of 69.8 per cent.
Kwara followed a similar trend, rising from N51.045bn to N69.152bn, a growth of 35.5 per cent.
The largest increase came from Lagos, which saw its personnel costs more than double, from N225.114bn to N401.12bn.
In Nasarawa, personnel costs increased from N48.704bn to N80.456bn, a 65.2 per cent rise, while Niger recorded an even larger leap, from N25.36bn to N104.301bn, reflecting a growth of 311.5 per cent. Ondo saw an increase from N75.96bn to N139.726bn, an uplift of 83.9 per cent, while Osun also registered a significant rise from N55.571bn to N102.89bn, an 85.1 per cent increase.
Oyo experienced a massive increase, with personnel costs rising from N116.207 bn to N214.116bn, an 84.3 per cent increase.
Similarly, Plateau saw its personnel expenditure climb from N38.963bn to N67.144bn, marking a 72.5 per cent increase.
Rivers State, under Governor Siminalayi Fubara, recorded a staggering rise from N167.05bn to N343.196bn, a 105.6 per cent increase.
Sokoto also saw a substantial increase, from N55.32bn to N64.711bn, a 17 per cent rise.
Taraba experienced a significant increase from N36.319bn to N95.23bn, a 162 per cent rise, while Yobe recorded a 34 per cent increase, growing from N47.95bn to N64.12bn.
Zamfara saw a moderate increase, with personnel costs rising from N34.21bn to N58.38bn, a growth of 70.7 per cent.
Meanwhile, the substantial increase in salaries and allowances across various states has introduced a new set of challenges.
With the sharp rise in personnel costs, at least 27 states of the federation now face the stark reality that they will be unable to meet their payroll obligations without relying heavily on federal allocations from the central government.
This means only 9 out of the 36 state governments of the federation can independently pay their workers’ salaries without depending on federal allocations.
This is an increase from 24 states that couldn’t pay salaries without federal allocation in 2024, according to an analysis of the state governments’ approved budgets for the 2024 fiscal year.
The states with robust internal revenue are Lagos, Abia, Benue, Enugu, Ogun, Niger Kaduna, Kwara, and Osun.
According to the analysis of the budget data, 27 states cannot fund salary payments from their internally generated Revenue and, as such, may have to rely on Federal Government allocations or borrowing from banks and related institutions.
The development also means that the respective wage bills of the affected states surpassed their various IGRs, raising concerns about workers’ productivity and state governments’ efficiency in internal revenue generation.
Speaking with The Tide’s the economist noted that the latest data further stress the need to reduce the cost of governance across the country.
Commenting, the director and CEO of the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise, Muda Yusuf, noted that there are several arguments for the state’s low revenue generation and its bloated civil service workforce.
He said, “The IGR thing, first of all, we need to recognize that there are big disparities in the natural endowment of the states. Not all states are equally endowed. You know, you can’t compare a state that is a coastal state like Lagos or Delta where you have a lot of oil companies, and they pay taxes through P.A.Y.E.
“If you take a state like Jigawa or a state like Gombe or a state like Kogi, most of the businesses there are SMEs. Most of them are agricultural businesses because most of them are farmers. How much IGR can you get from these people? So what you discover invariably is that the IGR that they get in those states are only from the salaries of the workers.

News

NDLEA Intercepts 1.63m Tramadol Pills, Arrests 80-Year-Old Suspect

Published

2 days ago

July 20, 2026

The Tide

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted 1.63 million pills of tramadol concealed in two long trailers heading for Kano as it intensified efforts to dismantle a transnational drug trafficking syndicate operating along the Togo-Benin Republic-Nigeria corridor.

The agency also arrested an 80-year-old suspected drug dealer in Rivers State, a businesswoman linked to cannabis shipments from Canada, a Chadian woman, a couple and other suspects in coordinated operations across Lagos, Edo, Kogi and Rivers states.

The NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, disclosed this in a statement, yesterday.

According to the statement, the latest intelligence-led operation came barely one week after NDLEA operatives recovered 558,900 pills of tramadol concealed in the false-bottom compartment of a truck that entered Lagos through the Togo-Benin Republic route.

Babafemi said, “Ongoing efforts to dismantle a transnational drug trafficking syndicate smuggling tramadol from Togo, through Benin Republic into Nigeria have yielded another success with the interception of two long trailers used to move One Million Six Hundred and Thirty (1,630,000) pills of tramadol 250mg concealed in fabricated compartments of the trucks across multiple borders into Lagos.”

He added that one of the two trailers was intercepted on July 2 along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, where operatives recovered 853,000 pills of tramadol 250mg concealed in a fabricated compartment beneath the cargo floor.

Babafemi said, “One of the two trucks already heading to Kano was tracked and located on 2nd July 2026 along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway where NDLEA officers recovered 853,000 pills of tramadol 250mg concealed in a fabricated compartment beneath the cargo floor of the trailer and arrested the 22-year-old driver Jabir Kabiru.”

He further disclosed that another trailer was intercepted two days later on the same route.

“Two days later, 4th July, NDLEA operatives acting on processed intelligence successfully tracked and recovered the second trailer from the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway while heading to Kano. A total of 777,000 pills of tramadol 250mg concealed in a fabricated compartment beneath the cargo floor of the truck were evacuated and the 22-year-old driver Muhammed Nuhu arrested,” the statement read.

According to Babafemi, investigations established a link between the three intercepted consignments.

He said, “Investigations revealed that all three trucks and consignments intercepted on 21st June, 2nd July and 4th July belong to the same transnational drug trafficking syndicate operating along the Togo-Benin Republic-Nigeria axis.”

The agency also intercepted 4.70 kilograms of Canadian Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis, at the import shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.

Babafemi said, “Two consignments of Canadian Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis, with a combined weight of 4.70 kilograms have been intercepted at the import shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos. The cargoes, which arrived the Lagos airport from Canada in cartons with ‘Odugwu’ boldly written on them, came aboard British Airways and Ethiopian Airlines flights on 24th June and 3rd July respectively.”

He said two cargo agents, Ali Rotimi Samson and Orimolade Oluwagbenga, were initially arrested in connection with the shipments, while another suspect, Edeh Onyeamachi Stanislus, was apprehended after arriving at a logistics company to take delivery of the consignments.

News

FG Alerts Nigerians Of N50,000 Allowance Registration Scam

Published

2 days ago

July 20, 2026

The Tide

The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction has denied claims that it has commenced registration for a purported ?50,000 National Support Allowance.

The ministry, in a public notice posted on its official X handle, yesterday, described messages, links and websites advertising the alleged programme as fraudulent.

It urged Nigerians to disregard such claims and verify information only through official government channels.

“The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction has NOT commenced registration for any ?50,000 National Support Allowance,” the ministry said.

It added, “Disregard fraudulent messages, links and websites claiming otherwise. Verify any info only through official govt channels.”

The alert is in response to a circulating scam flyer that falsely claims the program is ongoing under President Bola Tinubu’s directives.

The fake advertisement, which includes text in Hausa and English, directs victims to a suspicious website (kluspz.com) for applications.

The ministry’s warning comes amid heightened concerns over digital fraud targeting vulnerable populations seeking social support.

Similar scams have previously surfaced around programs like N-Power, prompting questions from citizens in replies to the official post.

News

Minimum Wage Review: We’re Battle Ready For Major National Struggle -NLC

Published

2 days ago

July 20, 2026

The Tide

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has expressed its preparedness for a major national struggle for a comprehensive review of the national minimum wage.

NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, hinted at this while making his remarks at the commissioning of the Comrade Godwin Abumisi Pensioners Legacy House and Multipurpose Hall in Abuja.

Ajaero said it is no longer acceptable to discuss the welfare of workers without also discussing the welfare of those who have completed their active years of service.

He advised workers and pensioners to get prepared for the ideological and economic battles that lie ahead.

According to the NLC president, “The Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) is one of the proud affiliates of the Nigeria Labour Congress. Therefore, your struggle is our struggle, and your welfare remains a priority for the organised labour movement.

“We are currently in the preparatory stages for a major national struggle for a comprehensive review of the national minimum wage.

“However, let me state unequivocally that it is no longer acceptable to discuss the welfare of workers without also discussing the welfare of those who have completed their active years of service.

“Accordingly, the Nigeria Labour Congress will not only push for a new national minimum wage but will also demand the establishment of a national minimum pension. It is a historical injustice that men and women who devoted their youth, strength and productive years to the service of this nation should be condemned to live below the poverty line after retirement.”

Ajaero noted that the cost of living has risen astronomically as food, healthcare and transportation have become increasingly unaffordable.

“We cannot continue to allow our senior citizens to survive on pensions that have become poverty wages. Every retiree deserves to live with dignity after decades of faithful service to the nation,” he said.

He urged pensioners across the country to remain united and prepared as the process begins, adding: “This Legacy House should not merely be seen as a physical structure; it should become a centre for mobilisation, strategic engagement and solidarity as we prepare for the struggles ahead.”

The NLC president pointed out that the working class has always understood that “those who exploit workers are united in advancing their interests. We too must remain united in defending our collective interests and ensuring that government fulfils its obligations to both serving workers and retirees.”

He said the completion of the project should serve as a clarion call to all workers and lovers of the masses.

“We must not only build physical structures but also build a strong movement capable of compelling government to honour its commitments,” he said.

Ajaero further stated: “We will continue to demand the immediate payment of all outstanding pension arrears and the implementation of a pension regime that guarantees every retiree a life of dignity and security.

“Together, we shall continue to fight until every Nigerian worker and pensioner receives the justice, respect and welfare they deserve.”