Kebbi NLC Counters Malami, Says Gov Idris Has Improved Workers' Welfare

The Nigeria Labour Congress, Kebbi State Council, has dismissed claims by the African Democratic Congress governorship candidate, Abubakar Malami, SAN, that workers in the state are suffering under the present administration.
The NLC said Governor Nasir Idris has shown sustained commitment to workers' welfare since assuming office in 2023.

The State Chairman of the NLC, Alhaji Murtala Usman, stated this on Monday in Birnin Kebbi while reacting to Malami's Independence Day address.

He said he acknowledged the promises made by Malami, including proposals on minimum wage, promotions, pensions and gratuities, transportation, healthcare, housing, retirement age and workers' participation in governance.
However, he said the union could not accept blanket allegations that workers are suffering because government failed to pay pensions, implement promotions or illegally deduct salaries. "Trade unionism is not conducted through rumour. It is conducted through evidence, negotiation, collective action where necessary, and institutional engagement," Usman said.

He explained that the NLC has maintained continuous engagement with the Kebbi State Government on workers' issues through collective bargaining, social dialogue and consultation. According to him, several demands have been addressed while others are still under negotiation.

Usman disclosed that the state government has implemented a N75,000 minimum wage, which was above the N70,000 national minimum wage at the time.

He described the implementation as a significant response to workers' demands, but noted that the struggle for improved welfare continues. "With inflation and the rising cost of living, the NLC will continue to demand further improvements in workers' purchasing power and conditions of service," he said.
He also reacted to Malami's promise to pay N110,000 minimum wage if elected in 2027.

The NLC chairman said such promises should be evaluated based on funding, sustainability and implementation plans.
"Announcing a higher figure during an election campaign is easy. But the real test is the capacity and willingness to negotiate, fund, implement and sustain such commitments when in government," Usman said.

He stressed that workers need realistic and sustainable policies, not campaign rhetoric. Usman listed interventions by the Idris administration to include the completion and equipping of the state Secretariat, regular payment of salaries, pensions and gratuities, and implementation of the N75,000 minimum wage.

He cited other measures such as payment of responsibility allowance to primary school teachers, recruitment of 2,568 health workers and employment of 2,000 qualified teachers.
"The government has extended the retirement age of teachers, medical doctors and veterinary doctors from 60 to 65 years, while increasing the period of service from 35 to 40 years," he said.

He said the government has renovated and revitalised general hospitals and primary healthcare centres, recruited more health workers and absorbed GAVI personnel into the state payroll.

Other interventions, according to him, include road construction and rehabilitation, provision of buses and subsidised transportation, and annual distribution of grains and agricultural inputs to workers. He also mentioned improvements in the judiciary, including better conditions of service and rehabilitation of judicial infrastructure.

In the education sector, Usman said the government rehabilitated 320 junior and senior secondary schools, constructed 30 new junior secondary schools and 18 senior secondary schools, and supplied over 2,000 desktop computers to 100 schools.

He added that the administration implemented the new minimum wage structure for staff of Kebbi State University of Science and Technology, Aliero and Kebbi State Polytechnic, including consequential adjustments for KSUSTA staff.
The NLC chairman, however, said the interventions do not mean workers have no legitimate demands. "We are not blind to the challenges confronting workers. We know that the purchasing power of workers has been weakened by inflation and the rising cost of living," he said.
He reiterated that the NLC remains independent and non-partisan.

He said the union would not become an appendage of government nor an instrument of political opposition.
He said the union would continue to negotiate with government, commend positive steps, demand improvements and mobilise workers lawfully when necessary.

Usman urged Malami and other political actors to base their campaigns on verifiable facts and implementable programmes. "If there are genuine cases of workers whose salaries have been unlawfully deducted, whose promotions have not been implemented, or whose pensions and gratuities remain outstanding, let the evidence be presented," he said.
He assured that the NLC is ready to pursue genuine grievances through established collective-bargaining mechanisms.

He urged politicians not to use workers' welfare as a tool for political manipulation. "Workers are entitled to accurate information, fair treatment, decent work, fair remuneration, career progression, social protection, security of employment and timely payment of legitimate entitlements," Usman said.

"Let the political contest be about who can deliver better conditions of service, not about who can make the loudest allegation. Let candidates present implementable programmes, not merely attractive promises. Let workers judge the record, policies and capacity to implement them," he added.