By Abubakar Ahmed
The Bauchi State Government has unveiled its 2025 Appropriation Bill, amounting to an unprecedented 465 billion naira, with a significant portion dedicated to enhancing the welfare of civil servants and public officers. This substantial budget, presented to the State House of Assembly, surpasses previous years’ allocations and reflects the administration’s commitment to improving the livelihood of its workforce.
Speaking on the budget, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Civil Service matters, Abdon Dalla Gin, emphasized that the allocation is a landmark step towards addressing the needs of public servants. “This is a robust budget, and about 25% of it is set aside for public service-related expenses, including salaries, overhead costs, and other recurrent expenditures,” he stated.
A major highlight of the budget is the implementation of the new national minimum wage of 70,000 naira for the lowest-paid workers. This policy, which significantly raises the bar from the previous 30,000 naira benchmark, is expected to bring substantial relief to workers and their families. Gin confirmed that the government is fully prepared to begin disbursing the new wage from November 2024.
“The agreement on the 70,000-naira minimum wage was signed just a few days ago with the full commitment of the governor. Unlike other states and even the federal government, which are still struggling with implementation, Bauchi State is set to honor this commitment immediately. Workers can expect to receive their first enhanced salaries at the end of this month,” Gin revealed.
Beyond the minimum wage, the government has also factored in consequential adjustments for all other grade levels. This adjustment ensures that the wage increase for Grade Level 1 employees does not create salary overlaps or inequalities across the civil service structure.
“The minimum wage increase impacts all levels of the civil service. For instance, Grade Level 6 employees would earn more than those at Grade Level 7 without adjustments. This is why a comprehensive review of salaries from Grade Level 1 to 17 has been undertaken, alongside adjustments for specialized professionals earning consolidated salaries under various structures like CONHESS, CONMES, and others,” Gin explained.
This holistic approach not only ensures fairness but also aligns with the administration’s goal of maintaining a motivated and efficient workforce. The adjustments are expected to extend to pensioners, with plans to review their entitlements to reflect the new realities. However, this will be addressed at a later stage as the government prioritizes the rollout for active workers.
The 2025 budget also includes provisions for the implementation of the contributory pension scheme, a transformative measure aimed at addressing the long-standing challenge of pension arrears. Under this system, both employees and the government will contribute to a pension fund, reducing the direct financial burden on the state.
“This scheme is a game-changer. It ensures the timely payment of pensions and gratuities while opening opportunities for accessing soft loans to address existing pension arrears, which currently exceed 20 billion naira,” Gin noted.
While the administration is fulfilling its obligations to workers, Gin called for a renewed sense of commitment and integrity among civil servants. He highlighted ongoing efforts to eliminate ghost workers and fraudulent practices that drain government resources.
“The government is determined to sanitize the civil service. Civil servants must rise above unethical practices and focus on their responsibilities. Their loyalty and dedication are essential to the successful implementation of government policies and programmes,” Gin emphasized.
With the implementation of the 70,000-naira minimum wage, Bauchi State is setting a new standard for worker welfare in Nigeria. The budget also reflects a broader vision for economic growth and infrastructural development, positioning the state for a prosperous future.
“This is the largest budget we have ever had, and it represents the governor’s commitment to not just starting, but completing, critical projects in the coming year. As we approach the election season in 2026, 2025 will be a defining year for our administration,” Gin concluded.
As workers anticipate their November salaries, the Bauchi State Government’s proactive steps to implement the new minimum wage underscore its dedication to improving the standard of living for its citizens, ensuring that public servants are well-compensated and motivated to drive the state’s development agenda.
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