Kehinde Fajobi
Jigawa State Governor Umar Namadi has suspended his special adviser on salary and pensions, Bashir Ado, for issuing what the government termed a “premature statement” regarding the implementation of the new ₦70,000 minimum wage.
The suspension was announced on Saturday in a statement by Bala Ibrahim, Secretary to the State Government, following media reports suggesting that Governor Namadi had approved the new minimum wage for state workers.
Ibrahim clarified that the statement was not an official position, saying, “The government viewed with serious concern a statement circulating in various sections of the media alleging that the governor has approved ₦70,000 as the new minimum wage for workers in the state.
This sounds embarrassing and premature as the committee headed by the Head of the State Civil Service, set up by the government to advise on the appropriate wage, is yet to complete its assignment and submit a report.”
Following the incident, Governor Namadi approved Ado’s immediate suspension, pending an investigation into the matter.
Ibrahim added, “The committee, chaired by Bello Abdulkadir, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, has been given two weeks to investigate the source and actual content of the alleged statement, as well as the motive behind it.”
Other members of the committee include Sagir Musa, Commissioner for Information, Youth, Sports, and Culture; Abdullahi Muhammad, Commissioner for Health; and Muhammad Yahaya, Permanent Secretary of Establishment and Service Matters in the Office of the Secretary to the State Government. The committee is expected to present its findings within two weeks.
The controversy emerged shortly after President Bola Tinubu signed a new minimum wage bill into law in July 2024, raising the national minimum wage from ₦30,000 to ₦70,000. In September, the Federal Government further approved a review of the Consolidated Public Service Salary Structure (CONPSS), raising workers’ expectations nationwide.
Governor Namadi’s suspension of Ado indicates a cautious approach in addressing wage increases. The government stressed that any decision on the new minimum wage would only be made after the committee completes its report.
The announcement has stirred mixed reactions among workers in Jigawa. Some labour representatives expressed disappointment, viewing the suspension as a setback, while others supported the governor’s cautious stance.
A state worker, who requested anonymity, commented, “It is unfortunate that the premature announcement has created confusion, but we must allow the committee to do its job. The new wage law is a positive step for all Nigerian workers, but implementation should be done properly to ensure sustainability.”
The committee’s findings will determine the next steps regarding the minimum wage in Jigawa State.