By Olaitan Ibrahim
Jigawa State Governor, Umar Namadi, on Wednesday formalised a new minimum wage agreement, raising the baseline salary for civil servants to ₦70,000.
Full implementation of the policy is set to begin on December 1, 2024.
Speaking at the signing ceremony held at the Council Chambers of Government House in Dutse, Namadi highlighted the exceptional nature of the new wage structure, noting its comprehensive benefits designed to shield workers from economic challenges.
“The new minimum wage of ₦70,000 is not just the most secure in the country but also well-protected against the rising economic uncertainties that erode workers’ earnings,” he said.
The governor elaborated that Jigawa’s civil service offers unique advantages, including subsidised shops where essential goods are available on credit, and access to agricultural loans and resources. These measures, he noted, elevate the real value of the new minimum wage to over ₦80,000 in practical terms.
“It is only in Jigawa State that civil servants can buy essential items at subsidised rates and on credit. They also have access to loans and farmlands to grow their own food. These provisions ensure that our workers are well-insulated from market price fluctuations,” Namadi added.
He also reaffirmed the state’s commitment to healthcare by implementing federal-level benefits for health workers to attract and retain talent in the sector.
“Health workers in Jigawa are receiving benefits comparable to their federal counterparts. This ensures we maintain a robust healthcare workforce,” he said.
Governor Namadi called on workers to reciprocate these efforts with dedication and diligence. “No state enjoys the advantages Jigawa offers its civil servants. To whom much is given, much is expected,” he remarked.
The governor lauded the negotiation committee, led by the Head of Civil Service, K. Dagaceri, alongside representatives of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), and Joint Negotiation Council (JNC), for their collaborative efforts in finalising the agreement.
Responding on behalf of organised labour, NLC Chairman Comrade Sunusi Alhassan Maigatari praised the governor for prioritising workers’ welfare.
He highlighted achievements such as the recruitment of over 7,000 civil servants, a ₦5.4 billion injection into the contributory pension scheme, agricultural loans, subsidised foodstuffs, and affordable housing projects.
The agreement was officially signed by the Head of Service on behalf of the government and the chairmen of NLC, TUC, and JNC, representing workers’ unions.
The event was attended by members of the State Executive Council, labour leaders, and civil society representatives.