The 36 state governors, under the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), have affirmed their commitment to ongoing discussions regarding the national minimum wage. Following a meeting in Abuja that extended into the early hours of Thursday, the governors resolved to maintain dialogue with key stakeholders to achieve a consensus.
Governors from various states including Oyo, Zamfara, Anambra, Delta, Gombe, Kano, Imo, Kwara, Ondo, Kaduna, Kebbi, Ebonyi, Sokoto, and Ogun, alongside deputy governors from Akwa Ibom, Osun, Borno, and others, attended the session held at the NGF National Secretariat in Abuja.
In a statement issued by NGF Chairman and Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, the forum emphasized their dedication to the negotiation process, aiming to secure improved wages through continued engagement with stakeholders.
The meeting agenda included updates on local government autonomy, disbursement under the Nigeria Community Action Resilience and Economic Stimulus Program (NG-CARES), and discussions on various World Bank initiatives aimed at enhancing human capital, food security, and economic reforms at the state level.
Regarding the national minimum wage, discussions have been ongoing since the expiration of the Minimum Wage Act of 2019 in April 2024, which mandated ₦30,000 as the minimum wage. The governors reiterated their commitment to finding a viable solution amidst the economic challenges facing workers, pledging to work closely with all parties involved in the negotiation process.
