Despite President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s proactive step in signing into law the N70,000 minimum wage to cushion the economic hardship faced by Nigerian workers, the burden of implementation now lies squarely with state governors—the second tier in Nigeria’s federal democratic structure. Sadly, many of them have either delayed or outright failed to comply.
Yet, in public discourse, the blame for the nation’s economic strain continues to rest disproportionately on the shoulders of the President. This misplaced accountability persists while several governors quietly sidestep their constitutional responsibility to deliver the dividends of democracy, particularly to local government workers and primary school teachers—the backbone of grassroots governance and education.
It is imperative to underscore that these governors are not above scrutiny. The media, as the fourth estate of the realm and watchdog of society, will not abdicate its role in exposing political leaders who neglect their duties while staging elaborate public relations campaigns to polish their images. A democratic government must be accountable at every level, and where the legislature or oversight institutions are silent, the press must amplify the voice of the people.
Let it be known: the economic wellbeing of the average Nigerian cannot be sustained on presidential policy alone. It requires faithful execution by governors who must answer to the people—not just at the ballot box, but every day they occupy public office. In other functional democracies, persistent dereliction of duty and disregard for national directives such as minimum wage laws could result in impeachment proceedings or judicial interventions. Nigeria must not lag behind in demanding the same standards.
The time has come for citizens and civil society to demand not just promises but performance—starting from the very states they live in.
Here’s a visual representation of the implementation status of the N70,000 minimum wage across Nigerian states:
States Paying Above N70,000 Minimum Wage:
Lagos State:
Rivers State:
Ogun State:
Gombe State:
Ondo State:
Kogi State:
Kebbi State:
Kaduna State:
Kano State:
States Paying N70,000 Minimum Wage:
Anambra State:
Katsina State:
Ebonyi State:
Adamawa State:
Akwa Ibom State:
Enugu State:
Bayelsa State:
Niger State:
Abia State:
Jigawa State:
Borno State:
Ekiti State:
Cross River State:
States Yet to Implement N70,000 Minimum Wage:
Bauchi State:
Benue State:
Imo State:
Kaduna State:
Kano State:
Nasarawa State:
Osun State:
Oyo State:
Plateau State:
Sokoto State:
Taraba State:
Yobe State:
Zamfara State:
Note: The above information is based on reports as of October 2024. For the most current status, please refer to official state communications.
Dr. Amiida
The National Patriots.
