Workers in Nigeria’s Kaduna, Nasarawa, Ebonyi, and Cross River states on Monday commenced a one-week warning strike to demand the implementation of a new national minimum wage and consequential adjustments.
In the northcentral state of Nasarawa, public offices – including the State House of Assembly, courts, and ministries, were shut down, with the chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in the state, Comrade Ismaila Okoh, Chairman saying while the government verbally committed to a ₦70,500 minimum wage, it failed to provide written agreements.
Comrade Okoh emphasised workers’ readiness to continue the strike if the government does not act.
In the northwestern state of Kaduna, the state secretariat, court complexes, and other government offices were locked by the labour union officials.
The NLC and its affiliate Trade Union Congress (TUC) cited the government’s failure to implement wage adjustments despite paying a ₦72,000 minimum gross salary.
Labour unions in the south-southern state of Cross River rejected the government’s announcement of a ₦70,000 minimum wage, stating that other demands, including the payment of delayed salaries for newly hired workers, remain unmet.
State offices in the state’s capital Calabar were shut as labour leaders planned further meetings to decide on the strike’s continuation.
In the southeastern state of Ebonyi, Governor Francis Nwifuru threatened to sack and replace striking workers within 72 hours.
Nwifuru claimed to have fulfilled his obligations and warned that only workers present in their offices would receive salaries through table payment.
In the southwestern state of Ekiti, workers distanced themselves from the strike, citing an agreement with the state government to implement the ₦70,000 minimum wage starting December 2024.
Governor Biodun Oyebanji explained that the delay in implementation was due to budgeting constraints but reassured workers of compliance.
Labour leaders maintain that the new minimum wage is non-negotiable and are determined to hold state governments accountable to national directives.
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