Governor Hope Uzodimma has approved a new minimum wage of ₦104,000 for civil servants in Imo State, raising the bar for workers’ welfare and making the state one of the highest payers of minimum wage in Nigeria.
The governor made the announcement during a meeting with leaders of labour unions at the Government House in Owerri, where he also approved significant salary adjustments for other categories of workers. Doctors’ minimum wage was increased from ₦215,000 to ₦503,000, while that of tertiary institution lecturers rose from ₦119,000 to ₦222,000, among others.
Uzodimma explained that the decision followed years of economic and social challenges, including insecurity, the COVID-19 pandemic, subsidy removal, and recurring disputes over wage adjustments. He stressed that improved welfare for workers was central to economic growth.
“When workers are paid well, productivity rises, families are happier, and the local economy grows. This is our way of investing in Imo people,” the governor said.
He noted that Imo’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) had grown from about ₦400 million in 2020 to over ₦3 billion monthly, while federal allocations to the state had also more than doubled. According to him, the state’s debt profile had reduced from ₦280 billion in 2020 to less than ₦100 billion, creating room for more investments in infrastructure and workers’ welfare.
The governor also disclosed that the state would commence payment of the final batch of gratuities, amounting to ₦16 billion, to pensioners beginning August 27. He highlighted reforms in health, including the launch of a health insurance scheme and the equipping of hospitals, as well as programmes to boost entrepreneurship across all wards in the state.
Responding, the state Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Uchechigemezu Nwigwe, described the wage increase as a “victory for the entire workforce,” praising the governor for prioritising workers at a time of economic hardship. The state Chairman of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Uchenna Ibe, also applauded Uzodimma’s “strong political will” in implementing the new wage and other developmental projects.
With this move, Imo joins the ranks of states taking bold steps to cushion the impact of rising living costs while strengthening labour relations.
