Wike Approves N70,000 Minimum Wage, Three-Month Arrears For FCT Workers

By Onoja Baba, Nigeria  

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has approved the immediate implementation of a N70,000 minimum wage for all staff under the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), bringing relief to thousands of workers who had expressed concerns over delays in adopting the new wage policy.

The announcement was contained in a statement signed by Anthony Odeh, the Press Secretary to the Head of Civil Service of the FCT, and made available to journalists on Tuesday.

This development follows President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s signing of the new Minimum Wage Bill into law in May 2024.

The legislation, which established N70,000 as the minimum wage, was the result of months of intense negotiations between the federal government and organised labour.

The FCT chapters of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) had previously threatened to shut down activities on November 30, 2024, as part of a planned nationwide strike.

The unions accused Wike’s administration of failing to meet with labor representatives since his inauguration in August 2023, fueling fears that FCT workers would be excluded from the new wage implementation.

However, in a swift turnaround, the FCT administration announced on Monday, November 18, 2024, that the minister had approved the payment of the new minimum wage alongside three months’ arrears to be paid from November 2024.

Speaking on the development, the Acting Head of Civil Service for the FCT, Mrs. Grace Adayilo, praised the minister’s decision, noting that it would boost workers’ morale and commitment.

“This gesture will further spur the entire administration staff to support the minister in continuing to deliver on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda,” Mrs. Adayilo said.

The statement highlighted that the approval was part of Wike’s broader commitment to improving the welfare and well-being of FCT staff.

The announcement is seen as a strategic move to prevent industrial action that could paralyse critical functions in the nation’s capital, while also reinforcing the minister’s image as a responsive leader addressing workers’ grievances.

Labour leaders are expected to meet soon to deliberate on the development and decide on the status of the planned strike. Meanwhile, FCT workers have expressed relief and optimism, describing the announcement as a welcome step toward better working conditions.