The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Yobe State Council, has called for the full implementation of the ₦70,000 National Minimum Wage for local government workers, primary school teachers, and primary healthcare staff across the state.
The demand was made during the 2026 NLC/TUC Joint May Day Rally held in Damaturu, where the State NLC Chairman, Comrade Muktar Musa Tarbutu, presented a memorandum on behalf of organised labour.
Speaking under the theme, “Insecurity and Poverty: Bane of Decent Work,” Tarbutu said the current situation where only state civil servants benefit from the new wage structure has created hardship, reduced workers’ morale, and contributed to rising poverty and insecurity in Yobe State.
He referenced Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution, which states that the security and welfare of citizens remain the primary responsibility of government.
While acknowledging the state government’s previous cooperation with labour unions, Tarbutu urged the government to extend the new minimum wage to all local government employees, teachers, and primary healthcare workers without delay.
He also listed other key demands, including the restoration of 100 percent overhead costs, which he said had been reduced by 50 percent, and a 100 percent upward review of furniture allowance.
Other requests included the reinstatement of annual leave grants and salary increments, implementation of the CONPASS salary structure for Fire Service and Road Traffic Agency personnel, creation of a Director of Labour office, appointment of an Adviser on Labour Matters, and an upward review of CONHESS for health workers.
The labour leader further called for agricultural training and provision of modern tools to improve food security and boost internal revenue generation.
Tarbutu warned that continued disparity in wage implementation between state and local government workers would only deepen poverty, insecurity, and low productivity.
He, however, expressed optimism that Governor Mai Mala Buni would respond positively to the demands in the interest of workers and the overall development of the state.
Receiving the memorandum on behalf of the state government, the Permanent Secretary of the Public Service Office, Hamidu Musa Babi, who represented the Head of Service, assured labour leaders that their demands would be forwarded to the appropriate authorities, including Governor Buni, for necessary action.
