Kaduna begins N72,000 minimum wage implementation, NLC demands full coverage

The Kaduna State Government has begun implementing the new N72,000 minimum wage for civil servants, with workers on Grade Levels 1–6 being the first beneficiaries.

The announcement was made by the Nigeria Labour Congress, Kaduna State Council, during a press briefing on Thursday, where the union confirmed that the process had officially commenced but insisted that full implementation for all workers must follow promptly.

Speaking to journalists, the state NLC Chairman, Ayuba Magaji Suleiman, explained that while the development was a positive step, there were still gaps that needed to be addressed, especially at the local government level and within certain sectors.

“We welcome the commencement of the ₦72,000 minimum wage implementation for civil servants in Kaduna State. The government has started with Grade Levels 1–6, but we want to make it clear that this is only the first phase. We expect the implementation to cover all categories of workers, including teachers, healthcare workers, and employees in tertiary institutions and parastatals,” Suleiman said.

According to Suleiman, the state government tied the extension of the new wage structure to other categories of workers to the ongoing staff and pension verification exercise, which is expected to be completed by September 2025.

“We have been informed that the adjustments for other workers, including pensioners, will only come after the staff and pension verification exercise.

“While we understand the need for proper documentation, we want the government to fast-track the process so that no category of worker is left behind,” he added.

He said the NLC had taken note of the government’s commitment to adopt new salary tables for CONMESS (Consolidated Medical Salary Structure) and CONHESS (Consolidated Health Salary Structure) for health workers in line with the new minimum wage.

“This is a welcome development. Health workers deserve better pay given the critical services they render, and we expect the new salary tables to reflect the ₦72,000 minimum wage framework,” he said.

Despite the progress, the labour leader lamented that primary school teachers, local government employees, and primary healthcare workers had not yet benefited from the wage adjustment.

“This is one area of concern. We want to make it clear that the NLC will continue to engage the government until every worker—state, local government, education, healthcare, and tertiary institutions—receives the ₦72,000 minimum wage along with all consequential adjustments,” he said.

He stressed that the Congress would hold the government accountable for its promises, adding that workers had endured years of stagnated wages amid rising costs of living.

“Our people have suffered enough. Inflation has eroded salaries, and families are struggling to survive. The ₦72,000 minimum wage is not a favour; it is a right that must be fully implemented for every worker in Kaduna State,” he added.

The NLC leader revealed that engagements between the union and the state government were ongoing to ensure the concerns of affected workers were resolved.

We are in constant dialogue with the state government to address these issues, especially at the local government level.

“We urge workers to remain calm, vigilant, and patient. We assure them that we will not relent until full implementation is achieved,” said

He also urged the government to prioritise fairness and transparency in the process, noting that industrial harmony depended on prompt action.

“When workers see sincerity and commitment from the government, industrial peace follows naturally. We expect the government to do the right thing,” Suleiman said.

The NLC pledged to keep monitoring the situation closely and to hold the government accountable for every promise made during the wage negotiations.

“We are not against the government. What we want is for the government to honour its commitments. We will continue to negotiate, engage, and if necessary, push harder to ensure no worker is left out,” he added.

He also called on the government to speed up the verification exercise so that the full wage implementation could be completed before the September 2025 deadline

Kaduna workers deserve better, and we will not rest until everyone receives their rightful pay,” he said.