State Governments Offer Varied Minimum Wages Amid Economic Challenges
June 10, 2024 — As the push for a new national minimum wage gains momentum, state governments across Nigeria have begun announcing their proposed minimum wage rates, revealing a significant disparity in the amounts various states are willing to pay their workers.
Leading the pack, Rivers State has proposed an impressive N80,000 monthly minimum wage, followed closely by Lagos State at N75,000 and Borno State at N70,000. These states have demonstrated a commitment to providing substantial financial relief to their workers amid rising living costs.
In stark contrast, states like Zamfara and Kogi have offered considerably lower wages, with Zamfara proposing N30,000 and Kogi N35,000. These figures are only marginally above the current national minimum wage and highlight the fiscal challenges faced by some states.
Below is a comprehensive list of the proposed minimum wages by state:
- Abia – N40,000
- Adamawa – N45,000
- Akwa Ibom – N65,000
- Anambra – N50,000
- Bauchi – N40,000
- Bayelsa – N65,000
- Benue – N48,000
- Borno – N70,000
- Cross River – N65,000
- Delta – N68,000
- Ebonyi – N40,000
- Edo – N70,000
- Ekiti – N55,000
- Enugu – N43,000
- Gombe – N45,000
- Imo – N57,000
- Jigawa – N40,000
- Kaduna – N45,000
- Kano – N50,000
- Katsina – N45,000
- Kebbi – N40,000
- Kogi – N35,000
- Kwara – N43,000
- Lagos – N75,000
- Nasarawa – N40,000
- Niger – N45,000
- Ogun – N65,000
- Ondo – N62,000
- Osun – N57,000
- Oyo – N60,000
- Plateau – N65,000
- Rivers – N80,000
- Sokoto – N40,000
- Taraba – N45,000
- Yobe – N42,000
- Zamfara – N30,000
These proposals come amid ongoing negotiations and deliberations at the federal level to establish a new national minimum wage that reflects the current economic realities and inflation rates.
The wide range of proposed wages reflects the varying economic capabilities and priorities of different states. While some states are leveraging their robust economies to offer higher wages, others are constrained by limited fiscal resources.
This disparity underscores the need for a balanced approach that ensures all workers receive fair compensation while taking into account the economic conditions of each state. As discussions continue, stakeholders are hopeful for a resolution that promotes equitable growth and prosperity across the nation.
