Shehu Sani Warns of Dire Consequences if State Governments Lay Off 600,000 Workers to Implement New Minimum Wage

In a bold and impassioned statement, former federal lawmaker from Kaduna State, Senator Shehu Sani, has issued a grave warning to Nigerian state governments contemplating the termination of 600,000 workers to facilitate the implementation of the new national minimum wage demanded by organized labor.

Taking to his X platform (formerly Twitter), Senator Sani cautioned that such a drastic measure would precipitate a cascade of societal crises, including heightened insecurity, a surge in criminal activities, and alarming increases in suicide and divorce rates. “The states sacking 600k workers in order to implement the new minimum wage will increase the risk of insecurity, crime, suicide, and divorce rates in the country,” he asserted.

This warning comes amidst a contentious debate sparked by the President Bola Tinubu-led administration, which has vehemently opposed the N494,000 minimum wage proposed by organized labor. The federal government has labeled this demand as an “economic death sentence” for small businesses and a direct assault on the livelihoods of countless Nigerians.

In June, organized labor embarked on a nationwide indefinite strike, demanding a living wage for Nigerian workers. The government’s counteroffer of N60,000 was swiftly rejected, leading to further negotiations and an eventual offer of N62,000. Despite this, the 36 state governors collectively rejected the proposed N62,000 minimum wage, arguing that many states would be compelled to borrow funds to meet such an obligation.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has firmly opposed any attempt by state governors to unilaterally determine the minimum wage. The union warned that such an approach would not only deepen poverty and insecurity but also undermine the established principles and mechanisms for setting a national minimum wage in Nigeria. The NLC’s stance is clear: the arbitrary determination of wages by state governors is both dictatorial and detrimental to the nation’s socio-economic fabric.

As the debate rages on, Senator Sani’s cautionary remarks underscore the critical need for a balanced and thoughtful approach to wage policy, one that safeguards the economic stability of the nation while ensuring the well-being and dignity of its workforce.