Jigawa State Governor, Umar Namadi, has suspended his Special Adviser on Salary and Pensions, Bashir Ado, over an alleged premature announcement regarding the state’s new minimum wage. This decision follows concerns raised by the governor after reports circulated that Jigawa State had approved a N70,000 minimum wage for its workers, which the government deemed premature and embarrassing.
The suspension, which was made public on Saturday, October 13, 2024, through a statement from the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Bala Ibrahim, is aimed at allowing further investigation into the circumstances surrounding the statement. The incident has caused a stir in Jigawa and beyond, raising questions about the accuracy of the information and the source behind it.
The root of the controversy stems from reports circulating in the media that claimed Governor Namadi had approved a new N70,000 minimum wage for public sector workers in Jigawa State. This claim quickly garnered attention, with many seeing it as a significant development in the ongoing debate over workers’ wages across Nigeria.
However, the Jigawa State government was swift to refute the claim, describing the announcement as premature. According to the statement by SSG Bala Ibrahim, a committee set up by the governor to recommend an appropriate wage was still working on its assignment and had not yet presented its final report.
“The government views with serious concern a statement circulating in various sections of the media alleging that the governor has approved N70,000 as the new minimum wage for workers in the state,” Ibrahim said.
He clarified that the committee responsible for reviewing the state’s wage structure, which is led by the Head of the State Civil Service, had not yet completed its work. Therefore, the announcement was seen as out of place and premature.
In response to the premature statement, Governor Namadi swiftly approved the suspension of Bashir Ado, the Special Adviser on Salary and Pensions. The suspension is temporary, pending the outcome of an investigation.
To further understand the source and motive behind the premature statement, the governor also approved the formation of a special committee to probe the issue. The committee, chaired by the State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Bello Abdulkadir, has been given two weeks to investigate the situation and present its findings.
The SSG’s statement emphasized that the investigation will focus on identifying the source of the statement, the actual content that was released to the media, and the reasons behind it. The findings of the committee will determine further actions regarding the suspended adviser.
This incident in Jigawa State comes at a time when the topic of minimum wage is a heated subject in Nigeria. With the rising cost of living, driven by inflation and the removal of fuel subsidies, Nigerian workers across the country have been advocating for higher wages to help them meet their daily needs.
The federal government of Nigeria had earlier increased the national minimum wage to N30,000, but many states, including Jigawa, have struggled with its implementation due to financial constraints. Recently, some states have been exploring further wage increases to reflect current economic realities, leading to discussions and negotiations between governments and labor unions.
Jigawa’s alleged move to implement a N70,000 minimum wage, if confirmed, would be a bold step, potentially setting a new benchmark for other states to follow. However, the premature nature of the announcement has caused confusion and uncertainty about the actual state of wage discussions in Jigawa.
The administration has reiterated its commitment to improving the welfare of Jigawa State workers. However, the state government stressed the need for thorough consultation and analysis before making any official declarations regarding wage increases. The suspended adviser’s premature statement is seen as a deviation from the due process the government has set in place.
The committee investigating the matter is tasked not only with uncovering the source of the statement but also with ensuring that future communications regarding sensitive matters such as minimum wage are handled appropriately.
“The statement is embarrassing and premature,”Ibrahim said. “The committee is still working on its task, and we urge the public to be patient as we complete the process to ensure the best possible outcome for our workers.”
