The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has approved the immediate payment of the new minimum wage of N70,000 for all administration staff.
The approval was announced in a statement issued by the Press Secretary to the Head of the Civil Service of the FCT, Anthony Odeh, and shared with journalists on Tuesday.
This decision follows President Bola Tinubu’s signing of the new Minimum Wage Bill into law in May 2024, which set the minimum wage at N70,000 for workers across the country.
The new wage came after months of negotiations with the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC).
However, the approval came after the FCT chapters of both the NLC and TUC threatened to shut down activities across the region by November 30, 2024, due to delays in the implementation of the new wage. The unions also raised concerns about the failure of the Wike-led administration to meet with them since his inauguration in August 2023.
In response to the ongoing concerns, Minister Wike approved the payment of the minimum wage for FCT administration staff on Monday, November 18, 2024, with the aim of alleviating the financial challenges faced by workers under the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA). Additionally, the minister approved the payment of three months’ arrears, effective from November 2024.
Mrs. Grace Adayilo, the Acting Head of the Civil Service of the FCT, noted that this gesture is part of the administration’s commitment to improving the welfare of its workers. She stated that the payment of the new wage and the arrears would serve as an incentive for staff to continue supporting the minister in delivering on President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed HopeAgenda.
This move reflects Wike’s ongoing commitment to the well-being of FCT workers, as part of his efforts to enhance public service and improve worker morale within the administration.
