By Ibrahim Hassan-Wuyo

Labour leaders in Nigeria have described states that are delaying the payment of the N70,000 minimum wage as violators of human rights in these challenging times.

In an interview with the BBC Hausa Service, monitored by our correspondent, former labour leader Ayuba Wabba stated that it was well known that once the President signed the minimum wage bill into law, the N70,000 wage became an official law in Nigeria.

“From the moment the President signed the bill, it became effective immediately and applies to all categories of workers,” he said.

He added, “Many states have already implemented the new wage. In Borno State, the Governor announced and implemented it, including for teachers. However, there are other states where there is still no indication of when they will implement the new salary.”

“Everyone is aware of the dire state of the Nigerian economy. Workers have been pushed to their limits, and the situation has reached an extreme,” he lamented.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has also stated that it will take a firm stand against the stubborn governors, who they accuse of lacking sympathy for workers.