Rejoinder to Baseless Allegations Against Niger State Organized Labour By A Certain Nma Mohammed.
Date: 20 May 2025
We wish to address a recent publication titled “Corruption Allegations Rock Labour Unions in Niger State: A Call for Urgent Action,” authored by Nma Mohammed. The claims set forth in this article are unfounded and represent a deliberate attempt to undermine the credibility of the Organized Labour leadership in Niger State.
Firstly, it is important to emphasize that such serious allegations should not be disseminated without credible evidence, verified facts, or formal complaints from legitimate union members. The publication fails to meet these critical standards, and its malicious intent is evident.
In light of these accusations, we find it necessary to highlight the significant achievements and contributions of Organized Labour in Niger State over the past 14 months. This period has been characterized by principled leadership, constructive dialogue with government officials, and meaningful advancements for workers.
Among our most notable accomplishments is the implementation of an ₦80,000 minimum wage for both state and local government employees. This historic wage adjustment has established Niger State as a leader in worker compensation on a national level, resulting from comprehensive negotiations aimed at enhancing the livelihoods of all public servants.
Moreover, we have reinstated gratuity payments for retirees, providing them with overdue entitlements and restoring dignity to those who have dedicated years of service. To date, over ₦7 billion has been released in 14 tranches of ₦500 million, reaffirming our commitment to equitable and just compensation.
In response to the prevailing economic challenges, Organized Labour has facilitated the distribution of subsidized food items and exotic grains to civil servants, assisting in the alleviation of inflationary pressures on workers and their families.
Additionally, we have demonstrated our responsiveness to workers’ needs through wage awards across both state and local government levels, along with the fulfillment of the 2019 Annual Leave Grant. These actions underscore our dedication to upholding workers’ entitlements.
In the realm of financial accountability, organized Labour has enabled the resolution of third-party deductions, thereby protecting workers from credit-related issues and reinforcing relationships with cooperative societies and lending institutions. This has greatly aided financial planning for civil servants reliant on these structures.
Our ongoing pension reform efforts have yielded substantial progress, including the refund of 10% of CPS contributions to exempt local government workers and significant advancements in clearing the backlog of 7.5% CPS contribution arrears following essential amendments to the CPS Bill.
We have also advocated for career progression, resulting in the removal of the embargo on cadre changes and service transfers, now actively being implemented. Notably, we achieved the domestication of Grade Level 17 for local government workers — a key step towards strengthening grassroots public service.
Promotion exercises at state and local levels have recommenced, rejuvenating professional morale and motivation. This has coincided with the complete clearance of salary arrears owed to local governments and uninterrupted payment of salaries and pensions, a testament to our strategic collaboration and effective fiscal management.
To ensure equitable wage progression, adjustments for local government workers in Grade Level 7 and above have been enacted. Furthermore, we have facilitated the recruitment of new personnel in essential sectors such as education and health, which enhances public service delivery and employment opportunities.
The government has shown tangible support for labour activities, particularly through its involvement in the 2025 International Workers’ Day celebration. This collaborative approach reflects a robust relationship built on mutual respect and trust between Organized Labour and the government.
The political relevance of our union was reinforced with the adoption of a sitting NLC Chairman as the Deputy Governorship candidate in the 2023 general elections, illustrating the strong alliance between Organized Labour and governance in Niger State. Labour leaders have also secured strategic positions within governance structures, including the Organized Labour Political Commission, ensuring that workers’ voices are actively represented in policymaking.
These accomplishments are not mere opinions; they are verifiable milestones that have positively impacted the lives of tens of thousands of workers and retirees in Niger State.
We vehemently reject any attempts to mislead the public with unsubstantiated narratives. Organized Labour in Niger State remains steadfast in its commitment to transparency, dedicated service, and the advocacy of workers’ rights. We encourage those who wish to critique to do so with integrity, founded on facts and a sense of responsibility.
