Kaduna State Workers Dispute Government's Claim on 72,000 Minimum Wage

Strategic Insights -

Workers in Kaduna State, Nigeria, have come forward with evidence contradicting the government's claim that it has implemented the newly approved 72,000 minimum wage. Documents obtained by the Nigerian Guild of Investigative Journalists (NGIJ), including pay slips and bank alerts, revealed significant discrepancies in wage payments. Teachers and lecturers from various local government areas reported receiving salaries below the announced minimum wage, highlighting a discrepancy between official pronouncements and actual payment amounts.

Key Takeaways:

  • Pay slips and bank alerts obtained by the NGIJ revealed that many workers in Kaduna State received salaries below the announced 72,000 minimum wage, with some receiving as low as 37,436 and 42,000.
  • The discrepancies were not limited to basic education teachers, with lecturers at Nuhu Bamali Polytechnic, Zaria, also reporting earnings below the announced minimum wage.
  • The Kaduna State Government's claim that it has implemented the 72,000 minimum wage for workers on levels 1 to 7 contradicts the evidence presented by workers, which shows that many are still receiving the old salary structure.
  • The NGIJ has obtained reports from several local government areas, indicating that the 30,000 minimum wage regime is still in effect, contrary to official pronouncements.
  • The Kaduna NLC chairman, Ayuba Suleiman, and the State Commissioner for Information, Ahmed Maiyaki, have reinforced the government's stance on the implementation of the 72,000 minimum wage, despite the evidence contradicting their claims.
  • The NGIJ is gathering facts and engaging stakeholders to ensure a balanced and comprehensive report on the situation, with a final governance report scheduled for release in November.

Statistics:

  • 37,436: The salary of a level-7 teacher under Kaduna SUBEB, paid to him on 3 September 2025.
  • 42,000: The August salary of another teacher in Zaria.
  • 64,800: The August salary of a lecturer at Nuhu Bamali Polytechnic, Zaria.
  • 23: The number of local government areas in Kaduna State where reports indicate that the 30,000 minimum wage regime is still in effect.
  • November: The scheduled release date of the NGIJ's final governance report on Kaduna State.

Sources:

  • Nigerian Guild of Investigative Journalists (NGIJ)
  • Pay slips and bank alerts obtained by the NGIJ
  • Reports from several local government areas in Kaduna State
  • Interview with NGIJ President, Abdulrahman Aliagan
  • Interview with a lecturer at Nuhu Bamali Polytechnic, Zaria (anonymous)