Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, has directed all 27 local government chairmen in the state to work out a practical strategy for the full implementation of the new ₦70,000 minimum wage for their workers.
The governor issued the directive on Saturday night during a high-level meeting with stakeholders, including representatives of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), and the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), held at the Government House in Maiduguri.
“All local government chairpersons should return to their respective areas, engage with stakeholders, and come up with a workable solution to the salary challenge at the local level,” Zulum said.
The governor reiterated that the ₦72,000 minimum wage had already been fully implemented for state civil servants and primary school teachers across Borno.
Zulum also warned against any plans to lay off staff at the local government level, stating, “We are not in support of staff retrenchment. I am directing you to create a mechanism that will ensure the implementation of the minimum wage.”
He appealed to workers at the grassroots level to remain patient, assuring them that efforts were ongoing with the 27 LGAs to resolve the wage issue.
Speaking at the meeting, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry for Local Government and Emirate Affairs, Modu Alhaji Mustapha, explained that the implementation of the ₦70,000 wage structure was being delayed due to an excessive number of employees across local councils.
According to him, Borno’s LGAs collectively employ about 90,000 staff, a figure he described as disproportionately high, especially when compared to states like Kano, which has nearly three times the population but only 30,000 LGA workers spread across its 44 councils.
“Our LGs are overstretched, and the current workforce size has become a major barrier to implementing the ₦70,000 minimum wage.”
Citing the Maiduguri Metropolitan Council (MMC) as an example, Mustapha said the local government sometimes receives less than ₦700 million monthly from federal allocations, while it needs ₦778 million to pay salaries under the new wage structure.
“This figure covers salaries alone. When you consider other essential services like healthcare, water supply, and security, the strain on MMC’s finances becomes clear,” he said.
Meanwhile, the state chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress commended Governor Zulum for already implementing the ₦72,000 minimum wage for primary school teachers.
Borno NLC Chairman, Yusuf Inuwa, expressed the union’s appreciation during the same meeting.
He stated, “Whenever we attend national executive meetings, Borno is praised because primary school teachers are already receiving ₦72,000 as minimum wage.
“When I announced it at a recent meeting, I was applauded, and Your Excellency was highly commended.”
