by Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
The Joint Action Committee of Northern Youth Associations (JACON) has accused northern state governors of failing to translate increased federal allocations into improved welfare for workers, warning that the neglect is deepening poverty and threatening regional development.
In a press statement issued Wednesday, May 14, 2026, JACON said the “unprecedented revenue” accruing to the 19 northern states since the removal of fuel subsidy has not led to any measurable improvement in living standards.
Instead, the group said, the failure to adopt a N150,000 minimum wage and clear salary arrears has intensified hardship.
The statement, signed by National Director of Public and Strategic Communication, Muhammed Isa and, Secretary-General, Raphael Terkolar, averred that, JACON remains a coalition of patriots, but would no longer tolerate what it called governors’ “feasting on subsidy proceeds, while workers drown in poverty.”
“Official data, from State Treasuries and the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC), show that monthly allocations to northern states have doubled or tripled since subsidy removal,” JACON stated.
The group alleged that most governors have allowed the windfall to disappear into “opaque spending, inflated contracts, and recurrent expenditures that bypass the working class.”
“As a result, northern workers face stagnant wages far below N150,000 that cannot cover basic food needs, unpaid salary arrears and pension deductions stretching for months or years, and a complete loss of purchasing power,” the statement noted.
JACON argued that denying workers a living wage has broader consequences. It linked the wage crisis to rising malnutrition and child stunting, school dropouts, collapsing access to healthcare, and deepening debt traps. The group also warned of impacts on the economy, human capital, and security.
“When workers see revenue but no relief, faith in democratic institutions collapses, leading to voter apathy or violent rejection of the state,” JACON said. “Mass poverty among able-bodied workers fuels recruitment into banditry, kidnapping, and other organised crimes.”
The group issued four demands to northern governors and lawmakers, including immediate adoption and payment of a N150,000 minimum wage backdated to the point of subsidy removal, and clearance of all unpaid salary arrears and pension deductions within 90 days.
Others are monthly publication of FAAC allocations and welfare expenditure; and the creation of a State Workers’ Welfare Trust Fund, funded by at least 30% of the subsidy windfall.
With elections approaching, JACON said it would mobilize voters across northern states to reject any governor or lawmaker, who received increased revenue but refused to prioritize workers’ welfare.
“Our message to every worker, trader, and farmer in northern Nigeria is simple: ‘Your vote is your only weapon. Reject any governor or lawmaker, who received increased revenue, yet, refused to pay a N150,000 minimum wage or prioritise your welfare,’” the statement added.