The federal government has urged states that haven't implemented the new ₦70,000 national minimum wage to start payment immediately.

George Akume, the secretary to the government of the federation, addressed this at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. According to him, the President Bola Tinubu-led government is fully committed to ensuring workers receive a fair wage.

Some months ago, Tinubu constituted a tripartite committee with representatives from the federal government, state governors, and the private sector to achieve a consensus on the new minimum wage.

Some states have already begun implementing the wage increase, with a few even surpassing the ₦70,000 threshold. Edo, Lagos, and Adamawa states have also started payment, while Anambra pledged to implement the new wage by October.

According to Vanguard, the government is encouraging states that haven't started payment to fulfil their obligations promptly, emphasising timely compliance. Senator Akume commended states that have initiated payments, expressing hope that others will soon follow.

The states that have implemented the new minimum wage are Ogun, Ekiti, Sokoto, Kebbi, Osun, Enugu, Borno, Zamfara, Kogi, Kwara, Gombe, Kano, Taraba, Delta, Rivers, Jigawa, Abia, Edo, Lagos, and Adamawa, Akwa Ibom.

Recall that the new minimum wage earlier elicited mixed reactions. While described it as a positive development, some raised concerns about its value being eroded by rising costs, such as the price of petrol and basic commodities.

Lawyer reacts to new minimum wage Reacting to the development, Titilope Anifowoshe, a legal practitioner, maintained in an interview with Legit.ng that no state in Nigeria cannot pay the N70,000 new minimum wage except when it lacks the political will.

The legal icon said: "If a state like Gombe state can pay N71,000 minimum wage, I believe every state in Nigeria has the potential of paying the new minimum wage."