National Shutdown: CSOs Urge Payroll Audit to Fund New Minimum Wage

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ABUJA — A coalition of civil society organisations has appealed to the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress (TUC), the Federal Government, and state governors to embrace dialogue and avoid a nationwide strike over the implementation of the newly approved national minimum wage, warning that an industrial shutdown would worsen the country’s economic challenges.

The Coalition of Civil Society Groups for Peace, Security, Good Governance, Equity, and Justice made the appeal in a statement issued in Abuja, saying the escalating dispute over the new wage has placed Nigeria at a critical crossroads.

In the statement signed by its National Coordinator and Convener, Comrade James Okoronkwo, the coalition cautioned that a nationwide strike would severely affect businesses and inflict greater hardship on millions of Nigerians, particularly those in the informal sector whose livelihoods depend on daily economic activities.

The coalition acknowledged that workers deserve a living wage capable of cushioning the effects of rising inflation, while also recognising that some state governments are struggling with declining revenues and fiscal constraints.

According to the group, prolonged industrial action would only deepen the country’s economic woes, insisting that sustained negotiations remain the most effective path to resolving the impasse.

The coalition urged the leadership of the NLC and TUC to suspend any planned strike and instead intensify negotiations with government at both the federal and state levels.

It recommended a state-by-state engagement strategy to address peculiar financial realities rather than embarking on a blanket nationwide shutdown capable of crippling economic activities across the country.

The civil society groups also challenged state governors to demonstrate greater fiscal responsibility before claiming they cannot afford the new wage.

They called on all state governments to immediately conduct comprehensive biometric payroll audits aimed at identifying and eliminating ghost workers allegedly draining billions of naira from public coffers every month.

The coalition further urged governors to reduce the cost of governance by trimming excessive political appointments and other non-essential expenditures, arguing that the savings should be redirected towards implementing the new minimum wage and improving workers’ welfare.

On the Federal Government, the coalition called for the establishment of a temporary and closely monitored Wage Implementation Intervention Fund to assist financially challenged states in meeting their wage obligations.

It stressed that any intervention should be conditional upon verified payment of the approved minimum wage and insulated from political manipulation or diversion.

The coalition maintained that the Federal Government should play a more proactive role in facilitating the implementation process instead of remaining a passive observer as tensions escalate.

Warning against another nationwide economic disruption, the coalition appealed to all stakeholders to place national interest above political considerations and embrace compromise in the interest of economic stability.

It disclosed that its proposed framework for resolving the dispute would be forwarded to the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and the leadership of organised labour, while reaffirming its readiness to facilitate an independent and transparent dialogue between all parties.

The coalition expressed optimism that with political will, prudent financial management, and continued negotiations, Nigeria can successfully implement the new minimum wage without resorting to a nationwide industrial action capable of disrupting the economy.

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