The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero, has stressed the need for strict accountability in the disbursement of local government allocations across the country, emphasizing that Osun State cannot be an exception.
Speaking at the NLC Central Working Committee meeting held in Ogun State, Ajaero remarked, “Osun cannot be an exception not to receive its local government allocation out of the 36 states.” He underscored that the Director of Finance and Supply; and the Director Administration and General Services remain the statutory signatories to local government accounts, adding that, “they are not politicians but employees”
“This measure ensures that no politician is able to siphon off or unlawfully acquire funds meant for local government allocation, thereby promoting transparent management and ensuring accountability within the system.”
He also called for a judicial interpretation of the legal disputes surrounding Osun’s local government funds. “The Supreme Court should be approached for the interpretation of the judgment on the Osun LG,” he advised.
Ajaero, responding to concerns raised by the President-General of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Comrade Aliyu Haruna Kankara, assured them that the national body would thoroughly examine their complaints. “The NLC will look into the issue tabled before it by NULGE,” he pledged.
Turning to the controversial proposal by the Federal Government to decentralize the national minimum wage, Ajaero strongly rejected the idea. He argued that maintaining a uniform wage floor is a global standard designed to protect workers’ rights.
“The issue of having a national minimum wage is done all over the world; it is not acceptable [to decentralize], or else some states will be paying less — some will be paying ₦20,000, others may decide to pay ₦30,000,” Ajaero warned.
However, he clarified that states with greater financial capacity could still exceed the national benchmark. “States that can pay more than ₦70,000 based on their capacity can do so. The national minimum wage is to protect all workers so as not to treat workers as slaves,” he said.
The meeting brought together key stakeholders in the labour movement, with discussions centering on the welfare of local government workers and broader issues of fiscal governance.
