N70,000 Minimum Wage, Local Governments Have No Excuse Not to Pay, Says Ajeromi-Ifelodun Chairman

The Chairman of Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government Area in Lagos State, Mr. Fatai Ayoola, has asserted that local governments across Nigeria have no reason to complain about paying the newly-approved N70,000 minimum wage. In an interview in Lagos, Ayoola highlighted the substantial increase in federal allocations and the financial autonomy granted to local governments under President Bola Tinubu’s administration as key factors that make the wage hike feasible.

“Local governments have recorded a 100 percent increase in federal allocations under the present administration. With direct federal allocations to us, there is no reason councils should not be able to pay the minimum wage,” Ayoola stated. He emphasized that Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government is already ahead of the curve, paying more than the minimum wage when allowances are factored in.

Ayoola reassured that paying the new minimum wage will not disrupt ongoing or future projects within the council. He also noted that the local government regularly provides palliatives to both staff and community members, including the distribution of subsidized rice and meat. “We buy a trailer of rice on a monthly basis, bag it into 10kg portions, and sell it for less than N7,000 to people in our communities. We also distribute portions of cow meat and take care of security outfits that support in protecting our environment,” he explained.

The chairman praised President Tinubu for facilitating financial autonomy for local governments, stating that this move should empower councils to make a more significant impact on their communities and ensure greater accountability.

Ayoola also called on local council officials to make necessary sacrifices for the benefit of the people at the grassroots. He cited the example of Ajeromi-Ifelodun council’s management, including councillors, who donated three months’ salaries to help rebuild the council’s secretariat after it was destroyed by hoodlums during the 2020 #EndSARS protests. “When our premises was gutted by fire during the #EndSARS protest, we lost 84 vehicles, 26 of which were brand new. The Federal Government did not give us anything, but the Lagos State Government gave us six vehicles,” Ayoola recalled.

In conclusion, Ayoola urged Nigerians to hold their local government chairmen accountable, emphasizing that the resources are now available to meet the needs of the people and that there should be no excuses for failing to deliver on promises, including the payment of the new minimum wage.