-Godwin Orozo
The Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) has issued a stern warning to states that have yet to implement the new N70,000 national minimum wage, threatening to disrupt activities in these states.
Shehu Muhammed, who was elected as the new president of ASCSN during the association’s 5th Quadrennial Delegates Conference in Lagos, expressed his determination to see the wage implemented across the country. “For states not ready to implement the new minimum wage, let me tell you categorically, it is impossible. We are coming for them,” Muhammed declared.
Muhammed emphasized the need for state governments to adopt the new wage to enhance the standard of living for their citizens, especially in light of increased allocations from the Federal Account Allocation Committee (FAAC). “States can achieve this by reducing wastages and blocking leakages of government funds,” he advised, adding that indexing income to inflation rates would be a practical step towards ensuring workers receive a living wage.
Echoing Muhammed’s sentiments, Joshua Apebo, the Secretary General of ASCSN, urged immediate action from state governors. “We request that state governments implement the new national minimum wage to enhance the standard of living for their citizens. This can be achieved by reducing wastages and blocking leakages of government funds,” Apebo said, referencing the recommendations made years ago by the Chief Ernest Shonekan committee.
In a show of solidarity, the President of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), Festus Osifo, pledged his support to the new ASCSN leadership, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing the interests of the union and its members. “The full implementation of the new national minimum wage and its consequential adjustments at both the federal and state levels will be the top priority of Organised Labour,” Osifo assured.
The ASCSN leadership’s strong stance signals a critical juncture for state governments, as they face increasing pressure to address workers’ demands amidst rising economic challenges.
