State Governors Accused of Politicizing Minimum Wage Implementation
The Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) has accused several state governors of turning the implementation of the new N70,000 national minimum wage into a political issue. Shehu Muhammed, the National President of ASCSN, made this claim during the association’s end-of-year engagement in Lagos.
Muhammed argued that many governors, who assert they are paying above the Federal Government-approved N70,000, are merely engaging in political tactics. He pointed out that many workers, even those in entry-level positions like drivers and cleaners, are already earning more than the base level, making the minimum wage claims seem disingenuous. He stated, “If you are saying you are going to pay N70,000 or N85,000 where there is nobody on that level, that is just politics.”
He further explained that some states, which have implemented the new wage, have done so without considering the necessary adjustments across all levels of civil service. He emphasized that the N70,000 wage should be part of a gradual increase, including adjustments for workers at all levels, particularly those in higher positions. He criticized the current approach, where workers at level 10 and above only receive minimal increases of N1,000 or N2,000, which he said undermines the spirit of the national minimum wage.
Muhammed reiterated the association’s stance on the need for a living wage, reflecting the current economic challenges faced by workers. He added that ASCSN would be preparing for the next round of minimum wage negotiations, ensuring that workers’ needs are properly represented.
