News

Kaduna begins N72,000 minimum wage implementation, NLC demands full coverage

Published

3 months ago

September 18, 2025

The Kaduna State Government has begun implementing the new N72,000 minimum wage for civil servants, with workers on Grade Levels 1–6 being the first beneficiaries.

The announcement was made by the Nigeria Labour Congress, Kaduna State Council, during a press briefing on Thursday, where the union confirmed that the process had officially commenced but insisted that full implementation for all workers must follow promptly.

Speaking to journalists, the state NLC Chairman, Ayuba Magaji Suleiman, explained that while the development was a positive step, there were still gaps that needed to be addressed, especially at the local government level and within certain sectors.

“We welcome the commencement of the ₦72,000 minimum wage implementation for civil servants in Kaduna State. The government has started with Grade Levels 1–6, but we want to make it clear that this is only the first phase. We expect the implementation to cover all categories of workers, including teachers, healthcare workers, and employees in tertiary institutions and parastatals,” Suleiman said.

According to Suleiman, the state government tied the extension of the new wage structure to other categories of workers to the ongoing staff and pension verification exercise, which is expected to be completed by September 2025.

“We have been informed that the adjustments for other workers, including pensioners, will only come after the staff and pension verification exercise.

“While we understand the need for proper documentation, we want the government to fast-track the process so that no category of worker is left behind,” he added.

He said the NLC had taken note of the government’s commitment to adopt new salary tables for CONMESS (Consolidated Medical Salary Structure) and CONHESS (Consolidated Health Salary Structure) for health workers in line with the new minimum wage.

“This is a welcome development. Health workers deserve better pay given the critical services they render, and we expect the new salary tables to reflect the ₦72,000 minimum wage framework,” he said.

Despite the progress, the labour leader lamented that primary school teachers, local government employees, and primary healthcare workers had not yet benefited from the wage adjustment.

“This is one area of concern. We want to make it clear that the NLC will continue to engage the government until every worker—state, local government, education, healthcare, and tertiary institutions—receives the ₦72,000 minimum wage along with all consequential adjustments,” he said.

He stressed that the Congress would hold the government accountable for its promises, adding that workers had endured years of stagnated wages amid rising costs of living.

“Our people have suffered enough. Inflation has eroded salaries, and families are struggling to survive. The ₦72,000 minimum wage is not a favour; it is a right that must be fully implemented for every worker in Kaduna State,” he added.

The NLC leader revealed that engagements between the union and the state government were ongoing to ensure the concerns of affected workers were resolved.

“We are in constant dialogue with the state government to address these issues, especially at the local government level.

“We urge workers to remain calm, vigilant, and patient. We assure them that we will not relent until full implementation is achieved,” said

He also urged the government to prioritise fairness and transparency in the process, noting that industrial harmony depended on prompt action.

“When workers see sincerity and commitment from the government, industrial peace follows naturally. We expect the government to do the right thing,” Suleiman said.

The NLC pledged to keep monitoring the situation closely and to hold the government accountable for every promise made during the wage negotiations.

“We are not against the government. What we want is for the government to honour its commitments. We will continue to negotiate, engage, and if necessary, push harder to ensure no worker is left out,” he added.

He also called on the government to speed up the verification exercise so that the full wage implementation could be completed before the September 2025 deadline.

“Kaduna workers deserve better, and we will not rest until everyone receives their rightful pay,” he said.

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PHOTOS: Police demote officer for unauthorised VIP escort duty

Published

5 hours ago

December 7, 2025

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

The Nigeria Police Force has demoted a corporal to the rank of constable for engaging in unauthorised VIP escort duties, in violation of directives issued by the Inspector-General of Police and President Bola Tinubu.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the force disclosed that CPL Suleiman Musa (F/No: 517077), attached to 45 PMF, was found escorting a VIP without the required clearance. His action was deemed a breach of the strict enforcement measures put in place to end the indiscriminate deployment of police personnel for such assignments.

According to the statement, the disciplinary action serves as a warning to other officers and reinforces the need for full compliance with operational guidelines.

The force also noted that the incident raises questions about how the unauthorised assignment came about and whether the officer acted alone.

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PHOTOS: Father, son, three others d!e in Kano well collapse and fire incident

Published

5 hours ago

December 7, 2025

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

Tragedy struck across three local government areas of Kano State as five people, including a 10-year-old girl, lost their lives in separate incidents involving a well collapse, a fall into a well, and a house fire.

The spokesperson of the Kano State Fire Service, Saminu Abdullahi, confirmed the incidents in a statement issued on Saturday, December 6, 2025.

The first incident occurred in Badume Kanawa Village, Bichi Local Government Area, where three people d!ed while attempting to re-dig a well.

According to Abdullahi, the rope supporting one of the victims, identified as Sa’idu Gada, 65, snapped while he was working inside the well.

In a desperate attempt to save him, his son, Sani Isyaku, 20, entered the well but also became trapped. A third man, Yakubu Abdullahi, 60, followed with the hope of rescuing both, but he too was unable to make it out.

Fire Service personnel rescued the trio in an unconscious state, but they were later confirmed d3ad.

Their remains were handed over to DSP Kabiru Iliyasu of the Badume Police Division.

In another incident in Danbatta Local Government Area, a 10-year-old boy, Hassan Iliyasu Haruna, fell into a well and d!ed before help could reach him.

The third tragedy occurred in Badawa Layin Day in Nassarawa Local Government Area, where a 10-year-old girl d!ed in a house fire on Thursday, December 4, 2025.

Fire Service officials said the blaze engulfed a section of a residential building, destroying two bedrooms. The girl was rescued unconscious but was later confirmed d3ad.

Speaking on the incidents, the Director of the Fire Service, Sani Anas, urged residents to avoid entering wells during emergencies, warning that such actions often result in additional casualties rather than successful rescues.

He advised the public to immediately call emergency responders when accidents occur, stressing that trained personnel are better equipped to handle such situations safely.

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PHOTOS: Troops rescue 14 kidnapped victims in Benue forest

Published

5 hours ago

December 7, 2025

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

Nigerian Army troops of Joint Task Force Sector One, Operation Udo Ka (OPUK), in collaboration with the Neighbourhood Watch, have rescued 14 kidnapped victims during a coordinated operation at Orokam Forest, a border area linking Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State and Ogbadigbo Local Government Area of Benue State.

The operation was conducted on Friday at about 1:30 p.m., following credible intelligence from locals indicating the presence of a suspected kidnappers’ hideout in the forest.

Troops deployed in Udenu LGA swiftly mobilised to the location alongside vigilante personnel of the Neighbourhood Watch.

While approaching the hideout, the criminals opened fire on the troops. The joint team responded with a high volume of fire, forcing the kidnappers to flee in disarray and abandon the kidnapped victims.

14 abducted persons, who were returning from a burial ceremony over the weekend before being kidnapped, were rescued unhurt.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the victims were abducted from two separate communities Ezimo Agu in Udenu LGA, Enugu State, and Orokam in Ogbadigbo LGA, Benue State.

The victims were subsequently handed over to the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Udenu Division, for onward reunification with their families.

The troops expended 70 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition during the engagement and returned to base at about 7:21 p.m. without any incident.

Troops had intensified monitoring of the general area to deny criminal elements freedom of action.