FCT Minister Wike Approves N70,000 Minimum Wage for Administration Staff, Arrears Included

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has authorized the immediate implementation of the new N70,000 minimum wage for all staff under the FCT Administration. This decision was confirmed in a statement issued by Anthony Odeh, Press Secretary to the FCT’s Acting Head of Civil Service, and shared with journalists on Tuesday.

The approval aligns with the new Minimum Wage Bill signed into law by President Bola Tinubu in May 2024, which raised the national minimum wage to N70,000 after extensive negotiations with organized labor.

This development follows threats by the FCT chapters of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) to embark on a strike from November 30, 2024, as part of a nationwide action protesting delays in implementing the minimum wage in some states, including the FCT. The unions had previously accused the Wike-led administration of failing to engage with labor representatives since his inauguration in August 2023.

According to the statement, Wike approved the wage increment on Monday, November 18, 2024, as a measure to ease the financial burden on workers under the FCT Administration. Additionally, the minister authorized the payment of three months’ arrears, effective from November 2024.

The Acting Head of Civil Service, Mrs. Grace Adayilo, expressed optimism that this move would motivate staff to support the minister’s efforts in achieving the objectives of President Bola Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope Agenda.”

The statement emphasized Wike’s dedication to prioritizing the welfare of FCT Administration employees as part of his broader commitment to governance and service delivery.