The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has urged workers of the FCTA to work hard as they begin to receive the N70, 000 minimum wage.

Wike made this statement in Abuja on Tuesday, November 20, 2024, during an inspection of the ongoing construction of the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal access road to the complex and the Airport Road to Kuje expressway.

This implementation comes months after the President approved and signed into law the N70,000 national minimum wage following numerous pleas from the labour union amidst the country’s hardships and suffering.

“In line with that, we have also adopted the N70,000 minimum wage and approved the payment of the arrears as agreed with the labour union.

“I expect that the workers will also see this as a boost and be more committed for us to achieve the development required in the city.

“So, workers should not live like, ‘Oh, money has been paid’. It means more work is expected from you,” the minister said.

After subsidies were removed in 2023, Nigeria faced severe hardships, including constant increases in fuel prices, rises in food costs, naira fluctuations, and other economic crises.

This led to a massive protest by members of the labour union, demanding an increase in the national minimum wage from N30, 000 to N250, 000.

After several dialogues, the President met with members of the Nigeria Labour Congress and agreed on a N70,000 minimum wage and ordered every state to comply.