Jigawa State Governor Suspends Special Adviser Over Premature Minimum Wage Announcement

Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa State has suspended his Special Adviser on Salary and Pensions, Alhaji Bashir Ado, following a premature statement regarding a N70,000 minimum wage. The announcement was made in a statement by Malam Bala Ibrahim, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), in Dutse on Saturday.

The suspension comes after a statement circulated in the media suggesting that the governor had approved a new minimum wage of N70,000 for state workers. Ibrahim clarified that this claim was "embarrassing and premature," as the committee established to assess the appropriate wage, led by the Head of the State Civil Service, had not yet completed its work or submitted a report.

In response to the situation, Governor Namadi approved the immediate suspension of Ado, pending the outcome of an investigation. The inquiry will be conducted by a committee chaired by the State Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice, Barr. Bello Abdulkadir.

The SSG further explained that the committee has been given a two-week deadline to investigate the source and content of the alleged statement, as well as the motives behind its release. The committee members include Sagir Musa, Commissioner for Information, Youth, Sports and Culture; Dr. Abdullahi Muhammad, Commissioner of Health; and Muhammad Hahaha, Permanent Secretary of Establishment and Service Matters in the SSG’s office.