The Sokoto State Government, under the leadership of Governor Ahmed Aliyu, has announced the immediate implementation of the new national minimum wage of N70,000 for all state civil servants, local government employees, and staff of the Local Government Education Authority.
A statement released by the governor’s Press Secretary, Abubakar Bawa, confirmed that the policy would take effect from Monday.
Governor Aliyu described the decision as part of his administration’s unwavering commitment to enhancing the welfare of workers in the state.
“This new national minimum wage underscores our dedication to prioritizing the well-being of our workforce. We urge civil servants to respond with increased dedication, punctuality, and professionalism,” the governor said in the statement.
He also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to ensuring the timely payment of salaries, pledging that monthly salaries would be paid between the 19th and 22nd of each month.
“Sokoto State is setting an example as a worker-friendly administration. Our commitment to regular salary payments is unwavering,” he added.
In addition to the implementation of the minimum wage, the governor announced a strategic plan to settle all outstanding gratuities owed to retirees. The government has allocated N500 million monthly to clear the backlog of gratuities, along with N300 million specifically for retirees who left service from 2023 onward.
“This approach ensures that by the end of my tenure, no civil servant will be owed gratuities,” Aliyu stated. He highlighted the challenges faced under previous administrations, where workers often endured delays of over 50 days in receiving their salaries.
The Sokoto State Government called on civil servants to embrace the new policies with renewed commitment and a heightened sense of responsibility towards service delivery.
