Femi Falana, a human rights lawyer, believes both federal and state governments can pay the minimum wage if looted funds are recovered, citing political will as the root cause.
“The state governments that are saying they have no money to pay, the money is there,” Falana stated.
“All they need, including the Federal Government, is to muster the political will to collect and recover money either looted or withheld from the Federation Account.”
This statement comes amidst ongoing negotiations between organized labor and the Federal Government over the new minimum wage.
Labor unions recently rejected the government’s offer of N62,000, a modest increase from the previous N60,000 offer.
During the last meeting of the Tripartite Committee on the New Minimum Wage held in Abuja, labor reduced its demand from N494,000 to N250,000, while the Federal Government marginally increased its proposal.
The proposed minimum wage might face further delays, as the National Assembly is currently on holiday, with discussions potentially postponed until July 2.