Activities in several Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) of the Kaduna State Government were severely affected on Thursday, following a warning strike initiated by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC). The industrial action, aimed at pressuring the state government to fully implement the N70,000 minimum wage, has left various public services in a state of paralysis.
The strike comes after prolonged tensions between the NLC and state governments over the implementation of the new minimum wage law, which the NLC has vowed to enforce nationwide before the end of 2024. The labour unions have issued a strong warning to states that have yet to comply, including Kaduna, to ensure full implementation before the new year.
In a statement responding to the strike, the Kaduna State Government rejected claims that it was failing to implement the new wage structure. The Chief Press Secretary to Governor Nasir El-Rufai, Ibraheem Musa, clarified that the state had already implemented the N72,000 minimum wage for its workers as part of the October 2024 salary disbursement. However, Musa acknowledged that “the issue is not about the minimum wage itself but about the consequential adjustments.” He further explained that due to the state’s financial constraints, which include an average monthly allocation of N8 billion from the Federal Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) and N4 billion in Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), it is difficult to immediately implement the wage adjustments.
The NLC, led by Kaduna Chairman Ayuba Suleiman, dismissed the government’s explanation, insisting that the strike would continue until the full adjustments were made. Suleiman stated, “We met on Saturday, but no agreement was reached. We will continue with the strike until our demands are met.”
At the opening session of the NLC 2024 Harmattan School in Abuja, NLC President Joe Ajaero strongly condemned the inaction of several state governors, particularly those refusing to implement the new wage floor. Ajaero stressed that organised labour would not be intimidated by threats or delays. He urged all state councils and affiliate unions to ensure that the minimum wage is fully implemented by the end of 2024. “We urge you all to ensure that it is appropriate, and complete implementation does not enter into the new year,” Ajaero told union members. He also acknowledged that while the minimum wage would primarily benefit formal-sector workers, a significant portion of Nigeria’s workforce in the informal sector would remain outside the scope of this improvement.
Ajaero warned of further challenges, stating that labour leaders should be prepared for possible harassment and physical assault. He emphasized that the arrest and detention of union leaders would not deter the NLC from pursuing its cause, stating, “We must be prepared to pay whatever price is necessary for the betterment of workers’ lives.”
The strike action has not been without controversy. In Ebonyi State, Governor Francis Nwifuru escalated the conflict by issuing a stern warning to workers who joined the industrial action. Nwifuru, in a briefing with journalists, described the strike as unnecessary, insisting that his administration had already implemented the new minimum wage as per federal directives. The governor, however, took a more combative stance, declaring that any worker who did not return to work within 72 hours would be replaced. “If you do not go to work, not only will I withhold your salary, but I will replace you within 72 hours,” Nwifuru said. “I am paying what is agreed upon, so any worker absent from their duty station will face consequences.”
This aggressive threat was met with strong rebuke from the NLC, which described the statement as “irresponsible.” Ajaero, reacting to Nwifuru’s comments, urged workers not to be intimidated and to continue the strike. He argued that Nwifuru’s approach was counterproductive and that a reasonable governor should have sought dialogue with labour leaders to resolve the issue amicably.
In response to the ongoing industrial action in various states, the NLC has called for solidarity across all sectors, including private sector unions. The congress has directed affiliates to join the strike to ensure that no state government is left unaccountable in its implementation of the new wage law. As the deadline for full implementation approaches, tensions between state governments and labour unions are expected to escalate. The NLC’s resolve to push for the full implementation of the N70,000 minimum wage is clear, with union leaders prepared to face further challenges in their bid to improve the welfare of workers across Nigeria.
With the strike entering its second day in Kaduna and other states, all eyes are on the state governors, who face mounting pressure to comply with the law before the 2024 deadline.
