The Niger State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to implementing the new National Minimum Wage once the necessary template is finalized and sufficient funds are available.
Deputy Governor Comrade Yakubu Garba made this assurance on Wednesday while speaking at the elective congress of the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN), Niger State chapter, held at Doko International Hotel in Minna.
“The issue of the minimum wage is already settled in principle,” Garba stated. “We are simply awaiting the template. Once funds are secured, the Governor will immediately ensure the implementation of the new wage in Niger State.”
He emphasized that the current administration, led by Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, has shown strong support for organized labor and has made workers' welfare a priority. He also encouraged unions to adopt a more collaborative stance with the government to ensure the state's progress, highlighting the administration's efforts to build trust among workers.
Garba pointed out that the government has prioritized the health sector, establishing two dedicated ministries to oversee healthcare services, each led by professionals. He added that the administration has also cleared salary backlogs inherited from the previous government, thereby reducing labor grievances.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Niger State chapter, Comrade Abdulkarim Idris Lafene, praised MHWUN as one of the NLC's most respected unions. He urged members to elect competent leaders who would collaborate with the NLC to champion labor issues, including the implementation of the new minimum wage. Lafene expressed optimism that with Comrade Yakubu Garba as deputy governor, the state would witness smooth negotiations on labor matters.
The congress also featured goodwill messages from state health commissioners, Dr. Ibrahim Dangana (Primary Healthcare) and Dr. Tukur Mohammed (Secondary and Tertiary Healthcare), both of whom commended MHWUN members for their frontline roles in addressing health challenges in the state. They pledged to continue providing a conducive working environment for health workers.
Additionally, the National President of MHWUN, Comrade Kabir Ado Sani, represented by Comrade Ibrahim Sokoto Jibrin, urged union leaders to acquire strong leadership skills and prioritize the welfare of their members. He called for continued cooperation between MHWUN and the NLC to ensure local government workers benefit from the new wage policy.
State MHWUN Chairman, Comrade Abdullahi A. Erena, also addressed the gathering, expressing gratitude to the Niger State government, particularly the deputy governor, for their unwavering support in overcoming recent challenges faced by the union.
The congress concluded with a call for unity and a focus on workers' welfare as the union prepares for its next phase of leadership.