By Abdullahi Alhassan, Kaduna
The Joint Action Committee of Northern Youth Associations (JACON) has called on governors of the 19 northern states to begin the monthly publication of federal allocations and welfare expenditures, accusing state governments of failing to improve workers’ living conditions despite increased revenue inflows.
In a statement jointly signed by the National Director of Public and Strategic Communication, Muhammed Isa, and Secretary-General Raphael Terkolar, the group alleged that the financial gains accruing to states following the removal of fuel subsidy had not translated into meaningful economic relief for workers and ordinary citizens.
According to JACON, data from state treasuries and the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) indicate that allocations to many northern states have significantly increased since subsidy removal, with some states reportedly receiving double or triple their previous monthly allocations.
The group, however, accused several state governments of channeling the increased revenues into non-transparent expenditures, inflated contracts, and administrative spending that has little direct impact on workers’ welfare.
JACON argued that the refusal of governors to improve workers’ salaries or adopt a proposed N150,000 minimum wage has contributed to worsening poverty levels across the region.
The statement noted that many workers continue to survive on salaries that can no longer meet basic living costs amid rising inflation and economic hardship.
It further alleged that unpaid salaries, pension arrears, and deductions owed to workers in several states have continued to accumulate, worsening financial pressure on families.
According to the group, many civil servants have resorted to informal borrowing and survival strategies that undermine productivity and household stability.
JACON warned that the economic strain on workers was already affecting critical sectors such as education, healthcare, and local commerce.
The group stated that increasing hardship has forced many families to withdraw children, particularly girls, from school, thereby worsening the region’s education challenges.
It also expressed concern over declining access to healthcare, saying many households can no longer afford medical expenses, leading to increased maternal and infant mortality rates.
The association further argued that shrinking purchasing power among workers was negatively affecting local businesses and weakening internally generated revenue across northern states.
JACON also linked rising poverty and economic frustration among young people to increasing insecurity, warning that hardship was creating conditions that fuel banditry, kidnapping, and other criminal activities.
The group maintained that declining confidence in democratic institutions was partly driven by the disconnect between increased government revenue and worsening living standards among citizens.
It added that underpaid and demoralized public workers, including teachers, healthcare personnel, and other essential service providers, were increasingly abandoning their responsibilities, thereby affecting public service delivery.
To address the situation, JACON demanded the immediate implementation of a N150,000 minimum wage for state and local government workers, with effect from the period of subsidy removal.
The group also called for the settlement of outstanding salary arrears and pension deductions within 90 days.
In addition, it urged state governments to begin monthly publication of FAAC allocations and detailed welfare expenditures to promote accountability and transparency in public finance management.
JACON further proposed the creation of a State Workers’ Welfare Trust Fund to be financed with at least 30 percent of revenues accruing from subsidy savings.
With the next election cycle approaching, the group said it would embark on voter sensitization and mobilization across northern states, urging citizens to reject political leaders who fail to prioritize workers’ welfare despite increased allocations.
“Our message to workers, traders, farmers, and ordinary citizens is clear: use your votes to hold leaders accountable. Reject any governor or lawmaker who receives increased allocations yet refuses to improve workers’ welfare or implement a living wage,” the statement said.
JACON insisted that it would continue to advocate for the rights and welfare of northern workers, stressing that public resources must be used to improve the living conditions of citizens rather than deepen inequality and hardship
