In a major move to address workers' welfare, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has approved the immediate implementation of the new N70,000 minimum wage for all administration staff under the FCT.
The announcement, made via a statement signed by Anthony Odeh, Press Secretary to the Head of the Civil Service of the FCT, was shared with journalists on Tuesday.
This decision follows the enactment of the new Minimum Wage Bill by President Bola Tinubu in May 2024, which raised the national minimum wage to N70,000 after extensive negotiations with organized labor groups.
The approval comes against the backdrop of growing discontent among labor unions, including the FCT Chapters of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC).
Both unions had threatened to shut down activities in the FCT on November 30, 2024, as part of a nationwide strike to demand full compliance with the minimum wage law.
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The unions also criticized the Wike-led administration for failing to engage with them since his inauguration in August 2023.
However, the tide turned on Monday, November 18, 2024, when Wike not only approved the payment of the minimum wage but also authorized the payment of three months’ arrears, starting from November.
Mrs. Grace Adayilo, the Acting Head of Civil Service of the FCT, expressed optimism about the decision, stating, “This gesture will further motivate the entire administration staff to support the minister in advancing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.”
The statement highlighted that this move underscores Wike’s commitment to improving the welfare and well-being of FCT administration staff.
It is seen as a significant step in mitigating workers' hardships and averting potential industrial actions in the territory.
The approval is expected to ease tensions with labor unions and bolster morale among workers, ensuring smoother administration of the FCT in the months ahead.