The Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) has issued a stern warning to states that are yet to implement the new N70,000 minimum wage, declaring that it is “impossible” for them to avoid compliance.
The organization emphasized that it will take decisive action against any state resisting the new wage policy.
ASCSN President urged state governments to act swiftly to adopt the new wage, highlighting that increased federal allocations from the Federal Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) make such implementation feasible. He advised states to curb wastage and eliminate financial leakages to fund the wage increase, and suggested that incomes be adjusted to keep pace with inflation.
The President also called for the formation of a committee to oversee the new minimum wage’s implementation and to address necessary adjustments, making it the primary focus for organized labor across both federal and state levels.
Secretary General Joshua Apebo echoed these sentiments, stressing that the rise in FAAC allocations following the removal of the fuel subsidy should prompt immediate action from state governors to enhance their citizens’ standard of living. He recommended that states cut waste and adopt income indexing to align with inflation, as previously proposed by the Chief Ernest Shonekan committee.
Additionally, Festus Osifo, President of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), extended his support to the new ASCSN leadership, promising to back their efforts to protect workers’ interests and ensure that their mandate is honored.
