- Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia has announced a new minimum wage of ₦75,000 for state workers, effective November 2024, surpassing the national rate
- The Governor confirmed that outstanding salary arrears for state workers will be paid in full as part of the 2024 budget, alongside the new wage
- Alia pledged ongoing support for the welfare of Benue's workforce, addressing concerns raised by labour unions during wage negotiations
Benue State governor, Hyacinth Alia, has approved a new minimum wage of ₦75,000 for state workers, effective November 2024.
The governor made the announcement following a meeting with representatives of organised labor on Monday, November 18, in Makurdi.
A statement from his Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, confirmed that the new wage would replace the existing minimum wage structure, reflecting the administration's commitment to improving workers' welfare.
Governor Alia also assured workers that the remaining three months of the five-month salary arrears, which had been promised by his administration, would be paid as planned in the 2024 budget.
These arrears will be paid alongside the new minimum wage.
“We decided to set the minimum wage at ₦75,000, fully aware of the concerns raised by organised labor during our negotiations,” Alia said.
“These included requests for a ₦30,000 minimum wage, wage awards, transportation allowances, tax relief, and work-off days.”
He also noted that the federal government had approved ₦70,000 as the national minimum wage, but his administration had chosen to exceed that amount in consideration of the concerns voiced by labour representatives.
The governor reiterated his administration's dedication to serving the people of Benue, emphasising that the decision to clear the arrears was motivated by a desire to alleviate the hardships faced by workers.
Alia assured that his government would continue to prioritise the well-being of the state's workforce.
Sanwo-Olu announces N85,000 minimum wage for Lagos workers, hints at increase to N100,000
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State had revealed that his government was set to introduce a new minimum wage of N85,000 for the state’s workforce.
Sanwo-Olu mentioned this during his appearance on Politics Today, a Channels TV interactive program on Wednesday, October 16.
