Civil Servants Threaten Shutdowns Over N70,000 Minimum Wage Non-Compliance

In Lagos, at the 5th Quadrennial Delegates Conference of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN), a stern warning was issued by the newly elected president, Shehu Muhammed, regarding the enforcement of the new national minimum wage of N70,000. 

As government representatives and civil servants listened intently, Muhammed declared that any state failing to implement this wage would face severe disruptions in its governmental activities.

Muhammed, taking the podium with a determined look, articulated a clear message to the state governments: “For states not ready to implement the new minimum wage, it is impossible to avoid accountability. We are coming for them.” 

Strategy for Implementation

During the conference, Muhammed discussed strategies for achieving wage implementation, including the formation of a committee to address the necessary adjustments.

He passionately argued for reducing government wastage and blocking financial leakages, suggesting that such measures would free up resources needed to support the wage increase.

Also present was Joshua Apebo, the Secretary General of ASCSN, who supported Muhammed’s call. Apebo highlighted that with the recent removal of fuel subsidies and consequent increase in FAAC allocations, there was no excuse for delay.

He reiterated the need for an income indexing policy to match inflation rates, a recommendation that harked back to the era of Chief Ernest Shonekan.

The conference also saw solidarity from other labor leaders, including Festus Osifo, the President of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), who promised to support the new ASCSN executives in their efforts to protect workers’ interests.