Governor Mohammed Umar Bago of Niger State has stated that his administration will implement the ₦70,000 minimum wage once the necessary resources are available. This announcement was made during the 2024 quadrennial state delegate conference of the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN) in Minna, where Bago was represented by his deputy, Yakubu Garba.
Bago emphasized that the state is prepared to execute the minimum wage policy as soon as it is feasible financially. He noted that the state government is awaiting the national level’s implementation of the policy.
In his remarks, Bago highlighted that the government has cleared the backlog of salaries for health workers and is in the process of renovating 100 healthcare facilities to improve working conditions. Additionally, he pointed out that counterpart funds have been consistently paid and that the Ministry for Primary Healthcare Development has been established to support health workers’ welfare.
Bago also expressed gratitude to the union leaders for their collaborative relationship with the state government and urged them to continue their support. He advised that while workers have the right to demand their entitlements, they should also consider the government’s efforts to ensure their welfare. He called on the incoming MHWUN executives to prioritize the interests of their members above personal agendas.
During the conference, Abdullahi Erena, the state Chairman of MHWUN, noted the union’s resilience in facing challenges such as the global pandemic, economic uncertainties, healthcare demands, and banditry, while continuing to provide healthcare services.
Dr. Kabir Sani, National President of MHWUN, criticized the recent increase in fuel prices and urged the government to reverse it. He expressed the union’s commitment to supporting lawful actions by organized labor to address economic difficulties faced by workers and Nigerians.
Malam Idris Lafene, Niger Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), also called for unity among unions and condemned recent hikes in fuel prices and electricity tariffs.