Kehinde Fajobi
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has approved the immediate payment of the new ₦70,000 minimum wage for all FCT Administration staff.
This was announced in a statement signed by Anthony Odeh, Press Secretary to the Head of the Civil Service of the FCT, and made available to journalists on Tuesday.
The statement explained that Wike approved the payment on Monday, November 18, 2024, to ease the financial burden on workers.
It also noted that three months’ arrears would be paid from November 2024.
Acting Head of Civil Service of the FCT, Grace Adayilo, said, “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.”
Wike’s decision comes amid threats by the FCT chapters of the Nigerian Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress to shut down activities on November 30, 2024.
The unions had raised concerns over the implementation of the new minimum wage in the FCT and criticised Wike’s alleged failure to meet with labour representatives since his inauguration in August 2023.
President Bola Tinubu signed the ₦70,000 minimum wage bill into law in May 2024 after extensive negotiations with organised labour.
The statement emphasised that Wike’s move reflects his commitment to the welfare and well-being of the FCT Administration staff.