The Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) has expressed concerns over the ability of local councils to pay the proposed N62,000 minimum wage, citing insufficient funding from the Federation Account.
In a press conference on Monday, June 10th, ALGON National President Aminu Muazu-Maifata stated that local governments across the country’s 774 councils currently receive only about 18% of the monthly Federation Account allocation. He argued this is not enough to cover the new minimum wage in addition to other critical responsibilities such as healthcare, education, security, and community development.
“Apart from payment of wages, we still have other responsibilities such as provision of affordable healthcare, education, security, traditional institution, rural roads as well as youths and women empowerment among others to contend with,” Muazu-Maifata said.
The ALGON president voiced support for increasing civil servant salaries, but appealed for a corresponding rise in local government funding to make the new minimum wage financially viable. He also called for amending the constitution to ensure a uniform 4-year tenure for local government officials, arguing this would improve administrative stability and allow councils to better fulfill their campaign promises.
The chairman of Lafia Local Government Area in Nasarawa State echoed these sentiments, stating that the current varying tenures of 2-3 years across different states are “not good for the administration at the local councils.”
ALGON pledged to work with stakeholders to ensure full implementation of local government autonomy as enshrined in Nigeria’s constitution.