11 Governors ready to pay above N70,000 minimum wage
Eleven Nigerian governors have announced new state-level minimum wages exceeding N70,000, with Lagos and Rivers offering the highest at N85,000 (around $108). These increases reflect efforts to adapt to Nigeria’s high inflation and the rising cost of living, especially in urban centers like Lagos.
Read more here: https://thenationonlineng.net/full-list-11-governors-ready-to-pay-above-n70000-minimum-wage/
Athena Commentary: This commitment is truly commendable. It’s a progressive steps toward improving workers’ welfare amid rising living costs. However, the sustainability of these changes relies on state revenue, often driven by agriculture or local industries. For example, Niger State’s Governor Bago emphasized agrarian reforms as a means to support the increased wage. In contrast, developed countries like the United States or Germany adjust minimum wage laws more systematically, linking them to inflation and cost-of-living indices and sometimes offering periodic federal oversight to adjust wages without state-by-state fragmentation.
2.3million children at risk of polio in Nigeria – UNICEF
UNICEF has raised alarms over the immunization gap in Nigeria, noting that 2.3 million Nigerian children remain unvaccinated, heightening their vulnerability to polio outbreaks. In Bauchi State alone, approximately 22,000 children lack routine immunizations, putting the state at risk despite having no wild polio virus cases since 2013.
Read more here: https://thesun.ng/2-3m-children-at-risk-of-polio-in-nigeria-unicef/
Athena Commentary: This persistent struggle with polio in Nigeria as highlighted by UNICEF points to the significant gaps in immunization coverage, with nearly 2.3 million Nigerian children missing routine vaccinations and thus at heightened risk. To bridge this gap, Nigeria could benefit from intensified efforts, such as stronger funding for health outreach, community mobilization, and technological adoption to streamline immunization delivery.
Reps probe FIRS, others over extra-budgetary expenditure
The House of Representatives has initiated a probe into the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), and Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) following allegations of extra-budgetary expenditures and biased recruitment practices.
Read more here: https://thesun.ng/reps-probe-firs-others-over-extra-budgetary-expenditure/
Athena Commentary: The recent resolution by Nigeria’s House of Representatives to probe the FIRS, CAC, and NDIC highlights pressing governance challenges in the country. The IRS in the United States and the Financial Conduct Authority in the UK, for instance, emphasize merit-based hiring and regular financial reporting, minimizing opportunities for corruption and favoritism. Such frameworks not only enhance institutional integrity but also bolster public confidence in government agencies. If Nigeria’s investigation uncovers systemic issues, it could prompt necessary reforms to ensure adherence to the Federal Character principles and reinforce fiscal responsibility, ultimately improving governance and service delivery in the nation’s economy.
Complied by:
Chukwunonso Momah
Aliyu Jalal
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