The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) President, Audu Amba has called on states yet to implement the N70,000 minimum wage to do so immediately.
Amba made this plea in Yola, Adamawa State, while expressing gratitude to the state government for initiating the minimum wage payment, albeit excluding primary school teachers.
According to report, 20 states have begun implementing the new minimum wage, while 16 others have not.
Amba emphasized the need for inclusive implementation, stating, “Let the minimum wage reach all workers so everyone will feel a part of it.”
He warned that excluding certain categories of workers could disrupt education delivery.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Adamawa, Emmanuel Fashe, also urged the state government to extend the N70,000 minimum wage payment to primary schools.
Fashe emphasized the need for inclusive implementation, stressing that some primary schools are severely understaffed, with only one or two teachers responsible for hundreds of pupils in multiple classes.
In a message to the conference, Governor Ahmadu Fintiri encouraged teachers to be selfless in imparting knowledge. However, Fashe’s plea highlighted the challenges faced by primary school teachers, who are yet to benefit from the new minimum wage.
As of September 2024, 17 state governors have established committees to implement the N70,000 minimum wage, with some states like Edo, Lagos, and Adamawa already paying the new wage.
Despite progress, concerns remain about the value of the minimum wage being eroded by rising costs.
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Jerome Kalu
Jerome Kalu is currently the Senior Correspondent of PIJAlance in Lagos. He was previously the Campus Information Desk (CID) Editor.