Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has announced a new minimum wage of N72,500 for civil servants in the state, with immediate effect.
According to The PUNCH, the decision, accompanied by a one-year suspension of taxes on the new wage, was made public after the Governor signed the wage agreement on Monday.
Governor Ododo emphasized that the move was necessary to help workers manage the rising cost of living in the country.
“The new minimum wage of N72,500 should take immediate effect to enable workers to cope with the current economic situation,” he said.
The Chairman of the Minimum Wage Committee, Elijah Evenemi, expressed gratitude to the Governor for allowing the committee to work independently, stating that the outcome was not a political victory but a win for the people of Kogi State.
This decision follows President Bola Tinubu’s recent approval of a national minimum wage of N70,000, announced on July 18, 2024, with plans to review the wage law every three years.
With the signing of the wage agreement, Kogi State civil servants will receive a higher minimum wage than the national standard, providing extra financial relief amidst the country’s economic challenges. The one-year tax suspension on the new wage further enhances its benefits.
Governor Ododo’s administration aims to alleviate the economic burden on workers and improve their overall well-being through this increased minimum wage.
