Wike approves payment of N70,000 minimum wage for FCT workers

The Federal Capital Territory's Minister, Nyesom Wike, has given his approval for all administrative workers to receive the new minimum wage of N70,000 immediately. 

Journalists were given access to a statement signed by the Press Secretary to Anthony Odeh, the Head of the FCT's Civil Service, on Tuesday. 

After months of negotiations with organised labour, President Bola Tinubu signed the new Minimum pay Bill into law in May 2024, authorising N70,000 as the minimum pay for workers.

Following orders from the national arms of the labour unions to launch a nationwide strike over the implementation of the minimum wage in some states, including the FCT, the FCT Chapters of the Nigerian Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress also threatened to cease operations on November 30, 2024. 

Additionally, since his inauguration in August 2023, the Wike-led administration has allegedly failed to engage with labour unions. 

However, the statement claims that on Monday, November 18, 2024, Wike authorised the minimum wage payment "in a bid to ameliorate the plight of workers under the employ of Federal Capital Territory Administration."

The minister also authorised the payment of three months' arrears for all administration employees, effective November 2024, according to Mrs. Grace Adayilo, the Acting Head of the FCT's Civil Service.

Source