Primary school teachers across Borno State celebrated on Friday as the newly approved N70,000 minimum wage, championed by Governor Babagana Zulum, was deposited into their accounts. This pay increase, which follows the same raise for civil servants last week, has positioned Borno’s minimum wage as the highest in Nigeria’s northeast region.
The announcement of the new wage was initially made on October 10, when Governor Zulum also approved a N3 billion fund for the entitlements of families of deceased civil servants in the state. The first payments to teachers were made on Thursday, prompting many to share their bank alerts on social media.
Borno State’s Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) Chairman, Comrade Inuwa Yusuf, commended the governor for his commitment to workers’ welfare, noting that the wage increase sets a new standard in the region. “This is a monumental step,” Yusuf stated, adding that civil servants have expressed immense gratitude for the wage harmonization efforts.
With Borno now leading in public sector wages, the NLC has encouraged other northeastern states to follow suit, applauding Governor Zulum for his dedication to improving workers’ livelihoods.
