The Kaduna State Government has commenced the implementation of the new ₦72,000 minimum wage, with civil servants on Grade Levels 1–6 being the first to benefit.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Kaduna State Council, confirmed the development at a press briefing on Thursday, describing it as a welcome step but insisting that all categories of workers must be covered without delay.
State NLC Chairman, Ayuba Magaji Suleiman, said while the process had started, significant gaps remained—particularly at the local government level and within education and healthcare sectors.
“We welcome the commencement of the ₦72,000 minimum wage implementation. The government has started with Grade Levels 1–6, but this is only the first phase. We expect the implementation to extend to teachers, healthcare workers, pensioners, employees of tertiary institutions, and parastatals,” Suleiman stated.
He explained that the government had linked the full rollout of the new wage structure to an ongoing staff and pension verification exercise scheduled for completion by September 2025.
“While we understand the need for documentation, the government must fast-track the process so that no worker is left behind,” he added.
The NLC noted that the state government had committed to revising salary tables under CONMESS and CONHESS to align with the new wage structure, a move Suleiman described as “a welcome development” for health workers.
However, he expressed concern that primary school teachers, local government employees, and primary healthcare workers had yet to benefit.
“This is one area of concern. The NLC will continue to engage until every worker—state, local government, education, healthcare, and tertiary institutions—receives the ₦72,000 minimum wage with all consequential adjustments,” he said.
Suleiman stressed that rising inflation had worsened workers’ plight, making full implementation urgent.
“Our people have suffered enough. Inflation has eroded salaries. The ₦72,000 minimum wage is not a favour; it is a right that must be fully implemented for every worker in Kaduna State,” he said.
He assured workers that engagements with the state government were ongoing and urged them to remain calm and vigilant.
“We are not against the government. What we want is for it to honour its commitments. We will continue to negotiate, engage, and, if necessary, push harder to ensure no worker is left out,” Suleiman said.
The NLC also called on the government to ensure transparency and fairness in the process, warning that industrial harmony depended on prompt action.
