State Govrt Begins Payment of ₦104,000 Minimum Wage, as Some States Struggle to Pay ₦70,000
The Imo State Government has commenced payment of the new ₦104,000 minimum wage to state workers, fulfilling Governor Hope Uzodimma’s earlier promise to review salaries upward in line with prevailing economic realities.
Reliable sources confirmed to PUNCH Online that several employees across ministries, departments, and agencies received credit alerts reflecting the new wage structure over the weekend, sparking widespread excitement and appreciation for the governor’s commitment to workers’ welfare.
Recall that Governor Uzodimma had earlier approved the payment of ₦104,000 as the minimum wage for fresh civil servants, ₦513,000 for medical doctors, and ₦220,000 as the entry-point salary for lecturers in state-owned tertiary institutions.
With this development, Imo State now tops the chart of Nigerian states paying above the national minimum wage of ₦70,000. Lagos follows with ₦88,000, Rivers pays ₦85,000, while Akwa Ibom and Bayelsa each offer ₦80,000.
In a statement issued on Sunday by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Enlightenment, Prince Eze Ugochukwu, the government said the wage increment represents a bold policy intervention designed to strengthen Imo’s economy and enhance workers’ standard of living.
“Governor Hope Uzodimma’s administration is spearheading this considerable policy change, which is poised to have a substantial impact on the state’s economic and social well-being,” the statement read.
“The goal of this wage hike is to bolster the financial capacity of workers, empowering them to better meet their needs and invest in goods and services. This, in turn, will give a boost to local businesses.”
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According to Ugochukwu, the ripple effect of the new wage policy will be far-reaching, as increased purchasing power among workers is expected to stimulate economic activity across the state.
He added that the initiative demonstrates the Uzodimma administration’s enduring commitment to improving the welfare of civil servants and driving inclusive economic growth in Imo.
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“The ramifications of this adjustment will be far-reaching, with economic activity getting a lift. Increased spending will stimulate local production and job creation,” he said.
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Observers have described the move as a major step in labor-friendly governance, especially at a time when some states are yet to implement even the ₦70,000 national minimum wage.
