By Muhammad Maitela, Damaturu
The Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, has ordered all 27 Local Government Area (LGA) chairmen to expedite the implementation of the new N70,000 minimum wage, despite concerns over bloated staff rolls stalling the process.
Governor disclosed this during a high-level meeting at the Government House on Saturday, attended by labour leaders, Zulum directed the LG chairmen to devise immediate solutions to ensure compliance.
“Go back to your localities, engage stakeholders, and resolve the salary issues at the local government level,” Zulum stated.
“We have already implemented the N72,000 minimum wage for state workers and primary school teachers. Retrenchment is not an option—find a sustainable way to pay local government workers.”
Modu Alhaji Mustapha, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry for Local Government and Emirate Affairs, revealed that Borno’s 27 LGAs employ about 90,000 staff—far exceeding larger states like Kano, which has only 30,000 workers across 44 LGAs.
“Maiduguri Metropolitan Council alone requires N778 million monthly to pay the new wage—more than its entire federal allocation,” Mustapha explained.
“This leaves no funds for healthcare, security, or other essential services.”
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) commended Zulum for fully implementing the N72,000 minimum wage for primary school teachers.
“At national meetings, Borno is celebrated for this achievement,” said NLC State Chairman Comrade Yusuf Inuwa.
Never miss a moment! Get the stories shaping Nigeria, delivered straight to your phone. Follow Peoplesdaily Newspaper on WhatsApp for breaking news, exclusive reports, and the headlines everyone will be talking about, before anyone else.
