The minimum wage remains one of the most important tools for promoting decent work and reducing poverty, especially in developing countries. In Nigeria, the topic of minimum wage is both sensitive and highly debated. In 2025, Nasarawa State stood out among Nigerian states for taking a bold and commendable step to improve the livelihood of its civil servants by implementing the new national minimum wage. This post takes an in-depth look at the 2025 minimum wage for civil servants in Nasarawa State, shedding light on the government’s efforts, implementation structure, payment challenges, and the broader socio-economic impact.
Background on Minimum Wage in Nigeria
Before diving into the specifics of Nasarawa State, it is essential to understand the national context. The minimum wage in Nigeria has historically been determined by the federal government, with states expected to align their wage structures accordingly. However, due to financial disparities among states, implementation often varies. The federal government approved ₦70,000 as the national minimum wage in late 2024, prompting states to begin the process of adapting and applying the new structure from January 2025.
Nasarawa State’s Bold Step: ₦70,500 Minimum Wage in 2025
In response to the federal directive, Nasarawa State promptly adopted and began paying a ₦70,500 minimum wage to its civil servants. The decision, which came into effect in early 2025, was spearheaded by the administration of Governor Abdullahi Sule. The Deputy Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Akabe, confirmed during a press briefing that civil servants across the state would henceforth receive a minimum salary of ₦70,500 monthly.
The decision was aimed at improving the living conditions of workers and reflecting current economic realities, including inflation, rising cost of living, and increasing demands on the average Nigerian worker.
Who Benefits from the New Minimum Wage?
The ₦70,500 minimum wage is primarily targeted at civil servants, particularly those on the lower rungs of the public service ladder. These include:
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Clerical officers
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Messengers and janitors
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Security personnel in ministries
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Drivers
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Junior administrative and technical staff
The new minimum wage ensures that no worker in the state public service earns less than ₦70,500 monthly. This move was lauded by labour unions as a progressive and humane approach by the government.
Salary Structure According to Grade Levels
In Nasarawa State, the salary structure is aligned with the Consolidated Public Service Salary Structure (CONPSS). This structure is used to determine monthly earnings based on an employee’s Grade Level (GL). Here’s a simplified view of how salaries may align with the new minimum wage across the grade levels:
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GL 01: ₦70,500
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GL 02: ₦71,500
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GL 03: ₦72,500
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GL 04: ₦73,500
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GL 05: ₦74,500
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GL 06: ₦75,500
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GL 07: ₦76,500
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GL 08: ₦77,500
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GL 09: ₦78,500
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GL 10 – 17: ₦79,500 – ₦86,500 (incrementally)
The above figures reflect only basic salaries. Actual take-home pay often includes several allowances and benefits based on grade, department, and years of service.
Allowances and Benefits Supplementing the Minimum Wage
The new minimum wage structure in Nasarawa State is further reinforced by various allowances and fringe benefits that public servants are entitled to. These include:
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Housing Allowance: Helps offset accommodation expenses.
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Transport Allowance: Eases daily commuting costs.
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Medical Allowance: Covers health-related expenses.
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Utility Allowance: For electricity, water, and other basic amenities.
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Leave Allowance: Annual bonus provided when a worker takes an official leave.
These allowances help boost the overall income of civil servants and improve their quality of life.
Implementation Challenges
Although the Nasarawa State Government took commendable steps, the implementation of the ₦70,500 minimum wage has not been entirely without issues. The most prominent challenge has been the demand for consequential adjustments.
Consequential adjustment refers to salary increases for workers in higher grade levels to maintain the wage gap between junior and senior staff. For example, if a GL 01 officer now earns ₦70,500, a GL 08 officer should logically earn significantly more. However, the state government admitted that it lacks the financial capacity to fully implement these adjustments.
Governor Sule was candid in saying that while ₦70,500 was already being paid to the lowest cadre, it would not be financially feasible to nearly double the salaries of higher-ranking civil servants due to budget constraints.
Workers' Response and Industrial Action
Despite the government's prompt adoption of the new wage, the organized labour unions in the state called for industrial action in early 2025. Their grievances stemmed from:
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Delay in full consequential adjustment for all grade levels
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Inconsistencies in implementation across ministries and departments
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Non-payment of arrears related to the new wage
The strike action paralyzed activities in ministries and public institutions for several days. However, negotiations between the government and the unions eventually led to a temporary resolution. The government assured that while the current resources may not allow full implementation, future budgets would address the concerns of senior staff and also ensure timely payment of arrears.
Government’s Additional Measures
In March 2025, the Nasarawa State government took further steps to ease financial burdens on workers:
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Release of ₦1 billion for the payment of outstanding gratuities to retired workers.
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Payment of February salaries ahead of schedule, to support workers during the Ramadan period.
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Establishment of a monitoring team to ensure uniform implementation of the new wage structure across all 13 local government areas.
These steps helped build trust and demonstrated the government’s commitment to the well-being of its civil workforce.
Socio-Economic Impact of the ₦70,500 Minimum Wage
The new minimum wage has had several positive ripple effects in Nasarawa State:
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Increased Consumer Spending: Civil servants now have more disposable income, boosting local commerce.
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Improved Morale and Productivity: Workers feel more valued, leading to better job performance.
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Attraction of Talent: Competitive wages help retain and attract skilled professionals into the civil service.
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Reduced Migration: With better wages, workers are less likely to migrate to Abuja or other states for employment.
However, the policy has also increased pressure on the state’s recurrent expenditure, leading to tighter control of capital projects and a reliance on internal revenue generation.
Conclusion
The ₦70,500 minimum wage for civil servants in Nasarawa State in 2025 represents a significant milestone in labour welfare and human development in Nigeria. While the government has shown strong commitment by adopting the new rate ahead of many other states, challenges remain—particularly in funding consequential adjustments for higher-grade workers.
Nevertheless, the steps taken so far are promising. With better fiscal planning and effective negotiations with labour unions, Nasarawa State is poised to become a model for other states in implementing fair wages and boosting worker satisfaction. As we move forward, it is crucial for the government, civil society, and all stakeholders to continue pushing for sustainable labour policies that guarantee fairness, dignity, and productivity for all.
