The Borno State Government has cited an oversized local government workforce—estimated at 90,000 employees across 27 councils—as a key challenge hindering the implementation of the N70,000 minimum wage for council workers. Despite the law being signed by former President Muhammadu Buhari in July 2024, local government employees in the state are yet to benefit from the new wage structure nearly a year later.
At a meeting in Maiduguri on Saturday, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government and Emirate Affairs, Alhaji Modu Mustapha, explained that the inflated staff numbers have created an unsustainable wage burden. He noted that some councils, like Maiduguri Metropolitan Council, receive federal allocations lower than what is required for wage payments. “Maiduguri receives less than N700 million monthly but needs about N778 million to meet minimum wage obligations,” Mustapha said.
Governor Babagana Zulum, addressing local government chairmen, urged them to return to their constituencies and collaborate with stakeholders to devise a feasible solution. He emphasized that while the N72,000 wage has been fully implemented for state workers and teachers, councils must avoid retrenchment and instead explore alternative strategies. “We are not in support of retrenchment at the local government level,” Zulum stated.
The governor also appealed for patience from council workers, assuring them that the government is working with all 27 local councils to find a practical path toward full wage implementation.
