The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Yobe State Council has called for the complete implementation of the ₦70,000 National Minimum Wage for all primary school teachers, primary healthcare workers, and local government employees in the state.
Comrade Muktar Musa Tarbutu, NLC Chairman, presented a memorandum at the NLC/TUC Joint May Day Rally 2026 in Damaturu, stating that the current uneven implementation, in which only state civil servants benefit from the new wage, is fueling economic hardship, draining workers’ morale, and worsening insecurity and poverty across Yobe State.Tarbutu spoke under this year’s topic, “Insecurity and Poverty: The Bane of Decent Work,” citing Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution, which states that the primary objective of government is to ensure citizens’ security and welfare.Tarbutu spoke under this year’s topic, “Insecurity and Poverty: The Bane of Decent Work,” citing Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution, which states that the primary objective of government is to ensure citizens’ security and welfare.While commending the state government’s previous cooperation, the labor leader presented a list of urgent demands, including full minimum wage coverage for all local government teachers and primary healthcare workers, as well as the restoration of 100% overhead costs, which he said had been slashed by 50%. There are: a 100% upward review of furniture allowance; reinstatement of annual leave grant; and incrementimplementation of the CONPASS salary structure.Others are: a 100% upward review of furniture allowance; reinstatement of annual leave grant and increment; implementation of the CONPASS salary structure for Fire Service and Road Traffic Agency staff; creation of a Director of Labour office and appointment of an Adviser on Labour Matters; upward review of CONHESS for health workers and reversal of the two-level drop; agricultural training and the provision of modern tools for food security and internal r. The Yobe NLC head cautioned that failing to resolve the salary gap between state and local government employees will exacerbate poverty, insecurity, and low productivity. He did, however, express confidence that Governor Mai Mala Buni will act in the best interests of the workers and the state’s prosperity.
Organized labour also reaffirmed its commitment to working with the government to promote good development and efficient service delivery.
Receiving the NLC memorandum, the Yobe State Head of Service, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Public Service Office (PSO), Hamidu Musa Babi, assured the workers that their message would be relayed to the Head of Service, who would then forward it to Governor Mai Mala Buni for appropriate action.
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