Civil servants in Imo State are celebrating following the commencement of payment of the new ₦104,000 minimum wage approved by Governor Hope Uzodimma.
Reports from Owerri confirmed that workers began receiving salary alerts over the weekend, reflecting the new wage structure that positions Imo among the highest-paying states in Nigeria.
Governor Uzodimma had earlier announced the revised wage plan, setting the entry-level salary for civil servants at ₦104,000, medical doctors at ₦513,000, and lecturers in state-owned tertiary institutions at ₦220,000.
Speaking on Sunday, the Governor’s Special Adviser on Public Enlightenment, Prince Eze Ugochukwu, said the new wage policy would not only boost workers’ welfare but also stimulate economic activities across the state.
> “The goal of this wage increase is to strengthen the purchasing power of workers, allowing them to meet their needs and contribute more to the local economy,” Ugochukwu stated.
According to him, the implementation will have a ripple effect on Imo’s economy, driving increased spending and supporting local businesses.
He also noted that Imo’s wage package now surpasses most states in the federation, with Lagos offering ₦88,000, Rivers ₦85,000, and Akwa Ibom and Bayelsa both at ₦80,000.
Meanwhile, analysts believe the move positions Imo as a model for other states, especially amid rising living costs and national calls for wage review following the removal of fuel subsidy.
In related developments, Ebonyi recently increased its minimum wage from ₦70,000 to ₦90,000, while Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde approved a pay raise for health workers after a staff appeal.
Governor Uzodimma’s administration has also cleared pension arrears dating back to 1996 and reaffirmed enforcement of the eight-year tenure policy for senior civil servants.
