Kaduna Workers Deny Receiving ₦72,000 Minimum Wage Despite Govt’s Claim
Workers in Kaduna State have dismissed the government’s claim that it has started paying the newly approved ₦72,000 minimum wage, insisting their salaries still reflect the old structure.
The Nigerian Guild of Investigative Journalists (NGIJ) said documents it obtained, including pay slips and bank alerts, revealed major discrepancies in the wage payments.
In Lere Local Government, a level-7 teacher under Kaduna SUBEB presented evidence showing he received only ₦37,436 as his August 2025 salary, paid on 3 September. In Zaria, another teacher confirmed his August wage stood at ₦42,000.
NGIJ noted that reports from several of the state’s 23 local government areas indicated that the ₦30,000 minimum wage regime was still in effect, contrary to official pronouncements.
This evidence contradicts the position of Kaduna NLC chairman, Ayuba Suleiman, who had earlier claimed that Governor Uba Sani had approved and commenced payment of the ₦72,000 wage for workers on levels 1 to 7.
The state Commissioner for Information, Ahmed Maiyaki, also reinforced the same stance during NGIJ’s visit to his office.
However, the discrepancies were not limited to basic education teachers. Lecturers at Nuhu Bamali Polytechnic, Zaria, reported earning below the government’s announced minimum wage.
One lecturer, who spoke anonymously, revealed he received ₦64,800 as his August salary.
“There is no reflection of the ₦72,000 minimum wage in our pay. What the government is saying is different from what we are seeing in our bank accounts,” he lamented.
NGIJ President, Abdulrahman Aliagan, said in a preliminary statement that the guild was still gathering facts and engaging stakeholders to ensure a balanced and comprehensive report.
He explained that NGIJ’s final governance report on the state, scheduled for release in November at a press conference in Abuja, would present a clearer picture of the situation.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
