Governor Nasiru Idris of Kebbi State has announced his administration’s readiness to implement the N70,000 minimum wage for workers in the state. The governor made this statement on Friday in Birnin Kebbi during a courtesy visit from the leadership of the state council of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) at the Government House.

Addressing concerns that his administration might not fulfill this commitment, Governor Idris reassured workers that the new minimum wage would be implemented as soon as the necessary template is provided to the state government. “Even the federal government, which approved the new wage, has not started payment yet because the modalities are still being finalized. Once we are ready, my government will engage in discussions with the NLC to determine the best way forward for implementation,” he stated.

Governor Idris also clarified that the annual development levy of N500, which dates back to the era of the defunct Sokoto State, is the only deduction from workers’ salaries and is legally sanctioned. “The total deductions from workers’ salaries amount to just N11 million,” he explained.

During the visit, Comrade Murtala Usman, the state NLC Chairman, expressed gratitude to the governor, describing him as the “most labour-friendly” governor in the country.