The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has approved the immediate payment of N70,000, the new minimum wage for all administration staff.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Press Secretary to the Head of the Civil Service of the FCT, Anthony Odeh, and made available to journalists on Tuesday.

Recall that President Bola Tinubu, signed the new Minimum Wage Bill into law in May 2024, approving N70,000 as minimum wage for workers, following months of negotiation with organised labour.

The FCT Chapters of the Nigerian Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress had also threatened to shut down activities on November 30, 2024, following directives from the national arms of the labour unions to embark on a nationwide strike over the implementation of the minimum wage in some states, including the FCT.

The unions had also alleged the failure of the Wike-led administration to meet with the labour unions since his inauguration in August 2023.

According to the statement, however, Wike approved the payment of the minimum wage on Monday, November 18, 2024, “in a bid to ameliorate the plight of workers under the employ of Federal Capital Territory Administration.”

The Acting Head of Civil Service of FCT, Mrs Grace Adayilo, disclosed that the minister also approved for payment of three months’ arrears for all staff of the administration with effect from November 2024.

The Head of Service said, “This gesture will further spur the entire administration staff to support the minister in continuing to deliver on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.”

The statement added that the move was part of the minister’s commitment to the welfare and well-being of the staff.