The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, approved the immediate implementation of a ₦70,000 minimum wage for all employees under the FCT Administration.
This was announced in a statement released on Tuesday by Anthony Odeh, Press Secretary to the Head of Civil Service of the FCT.
The approval aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s signing of the Minimum Wage Bill into law in May 2024, which set ₦70,000 as the baseline salary for workers after extensive negotiations with organized labor.
The decision comes amid rising tensions between the FCT administration and labor unions.
The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in the FCT had threatened to join a nationwide strike on November 30, 2024, citing delays in implementing the new minimum wage and the administration’s lack of engagement with union leaders since Wike assumed office in August 2023.
In the statement, Acting Head of Civil Service for the FCT, Grace Adayilo, revealed that Wike approved the payment on Monday, November 18, 2024, to address workers’ concerns and improve their welfare.
She added that the minister also authorized the payment of three months arrears, starting from November 2024, to all FCT Administration employees.
“This gesture will further motivate the staff to support the minister in delivering on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda,” Adayilo stated.
The move underscores the minister’s commitment to improving the welfare and well-being of FCT workers while fostering a harmonious relationship with labor unions.
