Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State has clarified that the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) is not against approving a living wage for Nigerian workers.
Speaking at the 7th Quadrennial Delegates Conference of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) in Ado-Ekiti on Wednesday, he emphasized that the NGF supports fiscal federalism, enabling individual states to pay wages based on their financial capacity.
Oyebanji explained, “The NGF is not against the living wage; no Governor is against the minimum wage. However, it must reflect fiscal federalism, ability, and capacity to pay. No Governor wants to retrench. If there is a minimum wage today without a concurrent increase in state earnings, no state can pay. We are committed to giving you a living wage, but we must consider what each state can afford.”
He urged Ekiti State workers to embrace agriculture, noting that his administration had cleared over 2,000 hectares of land for free allocation to interested residents.
“My appeal to civil servants is to form cooperative societies and approach the Ministry of Agriculture for support. We are clearing land free of charge, providing inputs, and committing to purchasing produce from you. As of today, we have cleared more than 2,000 hectares across Ekiti State,” he said.
Governor Oyebanji highlighted the crucial role civil servants play in the state’s administration and development, particularly in achieving the Six Pillars of his administration.
He attributed the administration’s achievements to the efficiency and effectiveness of the workers, underscoring their importance as stakeholders in the state’s growth.