The Director-General of the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), Adewale Oyerinde, has strongly emphasized that no state government has a valid excuse to delay or resist the implementation of the newly approved ₦70,000 minimum wage, as inadequate funding is no longer a viable claim.
During an interview on Arise News on Tuesday, Oyerinde addressed concerns about the nationwide implementation of the minimum wage, which was approved by President Bola Tinubu in 2024. He highlighted the federal government’s consistent and substantial increase in revenue allocations to states, arguing that this increment should eliminate any financial constraints cited by state governments.
Speaking further, he called on state governments to demonstrate fiscal discipline and strategic resource management to meet their financial obligations under the new wage structure. He remarked, “The issue of having funds to pay the ₦70,000 does not arise because it is now evident that the federal government is consistently supporting state governments. The federal government’s allocation to states has significantly increased, and with a little fiscal discipline, no state should complain about its inability to pay the ₦70,000 minimum wage as approved by the president.”
Oyerinde expressed optimism that all state governments would comply with the payment of the new minimum wage. He noted that the preparation of the 2025 budgets presents an opportunity for states to include the required funds for payment, particularly for those that claim their 2024 budgets did not account for the increase. “We don’t see the states not paying. We want to believe that it has been factored into their 2025 budget. Those that say it wasn’t in their 2024 budget are currently presenting their 2025 budgets or have already done so to their respective houses of assembly. Therefore, we are hopeful that the ₦70,000 minimum wage has been incorporated and will be implemented accordingly,” he stated.
Furthermore, Oyerinde urged the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) to remain proactive in engaging state governments that may resist the implementation of the new wage structure. He underscored the importance of collective efforts to ensure that no state defaults on this obligation. “If any state refuses to pay, since funding is no longer an issue, the NLC and TUC may need to intensify their engagement efforts and possibly rethink their strategies to ensure compliance from all states,” he said.
He concluded by reaffirming the permanence of the new minimum wage and called on all stakeholders to play their part in ensuring its successful rollout. “The reality is that ₦70,000 is now the standard, and everyone must adhere to it, except those explicitly exempted,” Oyerinde emphasized. He reiterated that the new minimum wage is not just a policy but a necessary step to improve the standard of living for workers nationwide, despite the challenging economic conditions.
