By Pascal Ibe

The news of the fresh N70,000 minimum wage agreed by the Federal Government and Labour leaders has generated mixed reactions among Nigerians.

While many workers are grateful for this development, others criticized it on the grounds that it doesn’t still alleviate the sufferings of s common worker at end of the month.

Last week, after president Tinubu approved the new N70,000 minimum wage, the President of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) , Joe Ajaero revealed that the union decided to accept the new offer, after the president promised to review the minimum wage every three years.

According to the NLC president, the Nigerian leader told the Labour that if the government decide to pay them N250, 000 minimum wage, there will be hike in petrol price.

Since, approval of this new minimum wage, many States have expressed willingness to comply, while others remain mute.

An X user, A Ayofe has claimed that the governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde said his administration will pay up to N155,000 minimum wage.

A Ayofe posted a photo of governor Makinde and wrote, “We will pay 155k as minimum wage!” FG cannot tell us what to do in OYO state- 😎

Since July 18, the post on X has gamered over 500k with 9k and 916 repost.

Verification

First, a statement by the Oyo State government last week, stated it is confident that the recently approved N70,000 minimum wage by the federal government will not be too challenging to implement.

Sulaimon Olanrewaju, the chief press secretary to Governor Seyi Makinde, said during the 2024 Workers Day celebration, the governor had pledged to pay whatever the national minimum wage would be set at.

He emphasised that the governor’s promise remains firm and noted that the state currently pays a minimum wage of N30,000 plus a N25,000 wage award, totaling N55,000 without any outstanding payments.

He concluded that increasing the payment from N55,000 to N70,000 would not be too difficult for the state government.

That promise stands. So, Oyo will pay the new minimum wage.

“The current minimum wage in Oyo is N30,000 but since October 2023 the state has been paying N25,000 wage award.

“This means the state has been paying N55,000 minimum wage since October last year without owing a single month. Transiting from N55,000 to N70,000 will not be too herculean.”

Last week, at PDP governors forum meeting held in Enugu, Seyi Makinde posted on his verified Facebook page that one of the resolutions reaching at the meeting was that Labour’s demand for a substantial salary increase is justified and supported by the forum and should take into account the ability of each level of government to meet their obligations.

The claim by the user cannot be found on any of the verified social media accounts of the Oyo State government.

Verdict

This claim is FALSE.