The Kaduna State Government has commenced the rollout of the new ₦72,000 minimum wage, with workers on Grade Levels 1–6 being the first to receive the adjusted pay.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in the state confirmed the development on Thursday, noting that while the move was commendable, the government must ensure the wage covers all categories of workers without delay.
The state NLC Chairman, Ayuba Magaji Suleiman, told journalists that the partial implementation was only a starting point.
“We welcome the commencement of the ₦72,000 minimum wage implementation for civil servants in Kaduna State. The government has started with Grade Levels 1–6, but we want to make it clear that this is only the first phase. We expect the implementation to cover all categories of workers, including teachers, healthcare workers, and employees in tertiary institutions and parastatals,” he said.
According to him, the state government has linked the extension of the new wage to the ongoing staff and pension verification exercise scheduled for completion in September 2025.
“We have been informed that the adjustments for other workers, including pensioners, will only come after the staff and pension verification exercise. While we understand the need for proper documentation, we want the government to fast-track the process so that no category of worker is left behind,” Suleiman explained.
He also disclosed that the government had assured workers of new salary tables for CONMESS and CONHESS in line with the new wage.
“This is a welcome development. Health workers deserve better pay given the critical services they render, and we expect the new salary tables to reflect the ₦72,000 minimum wage framework,” he noted.
Despite this progress, Suleiman expressed concern that some categories of workers were yet to benefit from the adjustment.
“This is one area of concern. We want to make it clear that the NLC will continue to engage the government until every worker in the state, local government, education, healthcare, and tertiary institutions receives the ₦72,000 minimum wage along with all consequential adjustments,” he stated.
The labour leader further stressed that the NLC would hold the government accountable, given the economic hardship faced by workers.
“Our people have suffered enough. Inflation has eroded salaries, and families are struggling to survive. 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 added.
Suleiman confirmed that talks between the union and the state government were ongoing to resolve outstanding issues affecting categories yet to be included.
