Borno LG workers protest unpaid minimum wage

Local government workers across Borno State on Friday protested over the non-implementation of the N70,000 minimum wage by the state government.

The protest, held in Maiduguri, the state capital, was organised by the leadership of the Nigerian Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress as part of activities to mark this year’s International Workers’ Day.

Addressing journalists during the protest, the state NLC Chairman, Yusuf Inuwa, said local government staff were the most affected by the current economic conditions in the country.

He said, “You may like to know why we are celebrating our Workers’ Day on the street today. We all know the situation we find ourselves in this country. Nigerian workers are the poorest citizens in this country. Therefore, we chose to celebrate our Workers’ Day on the street.

“Last two years, the national leadership of organised labour negotiated the N70,000 minimum wage for Nigerian workers. That makes it a law for all states to pay their workers.”

Inuwa acknowledged the state government’s efforts in paying primary school teachers and healthcare workers but said it was disheartening that many local government staff were excluded.

“Here in Borno, we negotiated our own. However, local government status is the main issue we face here in Borno State. The teachers’ and primary healthcare workers’ minimum wage has been covered, but it remains the main local government staff.

“They are yet to be captured. For us, an injury to one is an injury to all. We go to the same market with them; hardship and inflation are affecting us all. Their salary cannot even sustain them for one week. We say enough is enough,” he said.

In July 2025, PidomNigeria Online reported that the Borno State Government said implementing the minimum wage for local government staff had been stalled due to the over-bloated number of employees.

This was disclosed by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry for Local Government and Emirate Affairs, Modu Alhaji Mustapha.

According to him, Borno’s local government councils are grappling with an unusually high number of staff, complicating payroll and minimum wage administration.

He revealed that the state’s 27 LGAs collectively employ approximately 90,000 staff, which is significantly higher compared to larger states like Kano, whose population is about three times that of Borno but maintains a comparatively leaner workforce of about 30,000 employees across its 44 LGAs.

He said, “While the intention behind the minimum wage increase is laudable, the reality on the ground in Borno is far more complex.

“Our local governments are already overstretched, and the current staff level has become an obstacle to implementing the N70,000 minimum wage.

“To put this into perspective, let us take Maiduguri Metropolitan Council, for example. Its monthly allocation from the Federal Government sometimes stands below N700m.

“While this may seem substantial at a glance, the local government needs N778m to pay the minimum wage.”