Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, has approved a substantial new minimum wage of N104,000 for civil servants in the state, marking one of Nigeria's most significant wage adjustments. This announcement was made late Tuesday during a pivotal meeting with leaders of various labour unions at the Government House in Owerri. The new figure represents a considerable increase from the previous N76,000 minimum wage, reflecting a strategic response to current economic challenges.

Beyond civil servants, other categories of workers are also set to benefit from these adjustments. Medical doctors in the state will see their minimum wage soar from N215,000 to N503,000, while lecturers in tertiary institutions will now earn N222,000, up from N119,000. Governor Uzodinma emphasized that his administration felt compelled to address the economic realities faced by citizens since he assumed office in 2020, citing issues such as insecurity, the COVID-19 pandemic, hardship induced by subsidy removal, and persistent wage disputes.

The Governor highlighted the importance of a harmonious relationship between the government and organized labour, stating that improved worker welfare leads to increased productivity, happier families, and a thriving local economy. He described these measures as an investment in the people of Imo, aiming to stimulate political and economic activities while ensuring that the welfare of bureaucrats and workers is highly respected.

Uzodinma attributed the state's capacity to implement these wage increases to a remarkable financial turnaround. He reported that Imo State's Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) has grown from N400 million to over N3 billion monthly. Additionally, federal allocations to the state have significantly increased from N5-7 billion in 2020 to about N14 billion. Furthermore, the state's debt profile has been drastically reduced from over N280 billion in 2020 to less than N100 billion, a financial discipline that made these bold wage adjustments possible.

The administration's commitment to improving citizens' welfare extends beyond wages. Governor Uzodinma noted significant investments in rebuilding collapsed infrastructure, particularly roads, and a strengthened security apparatus across the state. Reforms in the health sector, including a health insurance scheme and upgraded facilities, were also highlighted. In a further move to clear workers' entitlements, the state government is set to commence payment of the final batch of N16 billion gratuity owed to pensioners on August 27.

The Governor also credited President Bola Tinubu’s removal of fuel subsidy as a policy that augmented allocations to sub-national governments, underscoring the responsibility of governors to ensure these benefits translate into tangible improvements for ordinary citizens. In response to the announcement, leaders of organized labour in Imo State warmly commended the governor.

Uchechigemezu Nwigwe, the State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), hailed the wage increase as