Lagos State Government has refuted reports suggesting that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu increased the minimum wage in the state to N70,000.
Reports had circulated on social media alleging that Governor Sanwo-Olu announced the increase in the minimum wage in Lagos to N70,000.
The governor was alleged to have made the announcement during the launch of Eko Cares, an initiative aimed at safeguarding the vulnerable against the impacts of economic challenges.
However, the Lagos Commissioner for Informatio, Gbenga Omotoso clarified that these reports misinterpreted Sanwo-Olu’s remarks at the event held at the Governor’s Office in Ikeja.
He further explained that Sanwo-Olu highlighted that since January, civil servants had been receiving the N35,000 minimum wage stipulated by the Federal Government.
The Commissioner noted that those previously earning N35,000 now earn N70,000, but this does not signify a new minimum wage of N70,000.
He said, “Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has been erroneously quoted as saying that a new minimum wage of N70,000 had been announced.
”This is wrong. Mr. Governor never said so. He said since January, civil servants had been earning the N35,000 wage award directed by the Federal Government. In other words, those earning N35,000 now earn N70,000. He did not announce a new minimum wage of N70,000.
His words: “I know that by the grace of God very very soon we’ll see a new minimum wage that will be approved for the Federal Government and for the state government.
“The civil servants and all public officers, they know that since January we have continued to pay the wage allowance of minimum of N35,000 over and above what they were earning before.
“People that were earning a minimum of N35,000 to N40,000 before, they are now earning over N70,000. So, it’s important for people to know and for us to lay this thing very clearly. This government has doubled up and has not left its citizens on their own…”.
The current national minimum wage is N30,000 and discussions on a new minimum wage are ongoing.
KanyiDaily recalls that President Bola Tinubu said he would always fight for Nigerian workers, adding that they will have “more than minimum wage”.
