The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has approved the immediate implementation of the ₦70,000 minimum wage for all staff under the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA). The announcement was made in a statement signed by Anthony Odeh, Press Secretary to the Head of the FCT Civil Service, and shared with journalists on Tuesday.
This decision comes after President Bola Tinubu signed the new Minimum Wage Bill into law in May 2024, setting ₦70,000 as the minimum wage following extensive negotiations with organised labour.
The FCT chapters of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) had recently threatened to shut down activities on November 30, 2024, as part of a nationwide strike protesting delayed implementation of the minimum wage in several states, including the FCT. The unions had also criticized the Wike administration for not meeting with labour representatives since his inauguration in August 2023.
In response, Wike approved the payment of the new minimum wage on Monday, November 18, 2024. The Acting Head of the FCT Civil Service, Mrs. Grace Adayilo, revealed that the minister also authorized the payment of three months’ salary arrears, effective November 2024.
“This gesture will further spur the entire administration staff to support the minister in continuing to deliver on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda,” Adayilo said.
The statement emphasized that the move underscores Wike’s commitment to improving the welfare and well-being of FCTA staff, aiming to alleviate their economic challenges and enhance productivity within the administration.
