Imo State Government Begins Payment of ₦104,000 Minimum Wage
The Imo State Government has formally commenced payment of the newly approved ₦104,000
minimum wage to its civil servants, fulfilling a promise made by Governor Hope Uzodimma.
State workers received payment alerts reflecting their new earnings over the weekend, prompting
widespread jubilation across the state. Many workers expressed gratitude to God and
commended the governor for fulfilling his pledge.
Earlier this year, Governor Uzodimma approved the increase in minimum wage for Imo state
workers from ₦70,000 to ₦104,000 during a meeting with labour union leaders in Owerri
In the same adjustment, salaries for other categories of workers were also restructured. Medical
doctors in the state saw their minimum salaries adjusted upward, and the entry point for state
university lecturers was also elevated.
The state’s Special Adviser on Public Enlightenment, Prince Eze Ugochukwu, noted that this
move is intended to boost the economic capacity of workers and stimulate local business activity
by increasing purchasing power.
With this implementation, Imo State currently leads in terms of state-level minimum wage,
outpacing others such as Lagos, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and Bayelsa.
Observers believe the new wage will offer relief to state workers dealing with inflationary
pressures and high cost of living. However, emphasis has been placed on sustaining the wage
policy so it does not become a short-lived measure.
By Oyinkansola Shittu.
