Governors under the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) have rejected the proposed N60,000 minimum wage for Nigerian workers, deeming it too high and unsustainable.
In a statement issued on Friday by the NGF’s Director of Media and Public Affairs, Halimah Ahmed, the governors expressed concerns that adopting the N60,000 minimum wage would force many states to allocate their entire Federal Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) funds to salaries, leaving no resources for development projects.
The statement read in part, “The Nigeria Governors’ Forum agrees that a new minimum wage is due and sympathizes with labour unions in their push for higher wages. However, we urge all parties to consider the broader implications. The minimum wage negotiations also involve consequential adjustments across all cadres, including pensioners. Any agreement must be sustainable and realistic.”
The NGF stressed that the N60,000 minimum wage proposal is not viable, stating, “Many states would end up spending all their FAAC allocations on salaries, with nothing left for development purposes. Some states may even have to borrow to pay workers monthly. This would not be in the collective interest of the country, including the workers.”
The forum urged all parties involved in the negotiations, particularly the labour unions, to consider all socioeconomic factors and reach a sustainable agreement. “We appeal to all parties, especially the labour unions, to consider all socioeconomic variables and settle for an agreement that is sustainable, durable, and fair to all other segments of society who have a legitimate claim to public resources,” the statement added.
Organized labour groups, including the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), have vowed to reject any minimal increase to the proposed N60,000 minimum wage. TUC President Festus Osifo reiterated this stance during an appearance on Channels Television’s *Politics Today* program.
The labour groups suspended their industrial action, which began on Monday, after reaching an agreement with the Federal Government. The government assured them that President Bola Tinubu is committed to a minimum wage higher than the previously offered N60,000.
This development comes less than 24 hours after the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, presented the cost implications of a new minimum wage to President Tinubu. The governors have acknowledged the need for a new minimum wage but emphasized the importance of a sustainable approach.
