Local government workers in Borno State on Friday took to the streets in protest over the non-implementation of the ₦70,000 minimum wage, intensifying pressure on authorities amid worsening economic hardship.
Titansloaded reports that the protest, held in Maiduguri during the 2026 Workers’ Day celebration, was organised by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), as aggrieved workers demanded immediate inclusion in the new wage structure.
Speaking during the demonstration, NLC Chairman in Borno State, Yusuf Inuwa, described the situation as unjust, stressing that local government workers remain among the most affected by the country’s rising cost of living. He noted that despite the minimum wage being a nationally agreed standard, many workers at the grassroots level are yet to benefit.
Inuwa pointed out that while the Borno State Government has implemented the ₦70,000 minimum wage for primary school teachers and healthcare workers, local government employees have been left out, a move he said has deepened frustration within the workforce.
He warned that the current salaries paid to local government workers are no longer sustainable, adding that many employees can barely survive a week due to inflation and escalating living costs.
Findings also indicate that the delay in implementation is tied to financial challenges facing local councils. With an estimated workforce of about 90,000 across the 27 local government areas, authorities say the wage bill has become increasingly difficult to manage within existing allocations.
Government sources further revealed that some councils lack sufficient funds from federal allocations to fully implement the new minimum wage, raising concerns about long-term sustainability.
As tensions rise, the protest signals growing unrest among workers and mounting pressure on the government to urgently address wage disparities and improve the welfare of local government employees.
