Jigawa State Governor, Malam Umar Namadi, has officially approved a new minimum wage of N70,000 for civil servants in the state.

This announcement was made by Hon. Bashir Ado, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Salary and Pension and a key member of the committee responsible for implementing the new wage structure.

Ado shared the news during an interaction with journalists shortly after casting his vote at Kanya Babba.

Ado explained that while the governor had already given the go-ahead for the new minimum wage, the final implementation was awaiting the completion of the committee’s work.

He noted that the committee had made significant progress, with about 90 percent of the work completed.

Once finalized, the report will be submitted to Governor Namadi for his approval, ensuring that the new salary structure is put into effect.

The state currently operates with nine different salary structures, and those earning on special scales, which are already above the minimum wage, will still benefit from a consequential adjustment.

According to Ado, even the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has expressed satisfaction with the wage increment, as the committee’s template has clearly outlined how much each civil servant will receive based on the new structure.

Ado highlighted that the civil servants in the state will likely be pleased when they see the increase reflected in their paychecks.

He added, “I’m certain that civil servants will appreciate Governor Umar Namadi’s efforts to improve their welfare, and they’ll be grateful for the salary increment.”

The decision to increase the minimum wage was part of a broader initiative aimed at improving the lives of civil servants and pensioners in the state.

Earlier, the Jigawa State Executive Council, under the leadership of Governor Namadi, had formed a 10-member committee tasked with overseeing the implementation of the new wage policy.

The committee, chaired by the State Head of Service, Muhammad Dagaceri, includes the Permanent Private Secretary to the Governor as the Secretary.

In addition to the minimum wage increase, Governor Namadi has also taken steps to address long-standing concerns regarding retirees’ benefits.

He has approved over N5 billion to clear outstanding payments for retirees whose benefits had been delayed for more than 20 months.

This gesture has been widely praised as a much-needed relief for retired civil servants who have been waiting for their entitlements.

The governor’s initiatives have been viewed as part of a comprehensive effort to enhance the well-being of both active and retired government employees in Jigawa State.

By approving the new minimum wage and addressing pension arrears, Governor Namadi has demonstrated his commitment to the welfare of civil servants, a key priority of his administration.

His administration’s focus on improving the livelihood of workers has been widely commended, positioning the state as a leader in ensuring fair wages and timely payments to public sector employees.