GOVERNOR UZODIMMA INCREASES IMO STATE MINIMUM WAGE STATE MINIMUM WAGE TO N104,000, BOOSTS WORKER WELFARE

GOVERNOR UZODIMMA INCREASES IMO STATE MINIMUM WAGE STATE MINIMUM WAGE TO N104,000, BOOSTS WORKER WELFARE

Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has approved a new minimum wage of N104,000 for civil servants, significantly raising wages across various sectors to alleviate economic hardship and improve worker welfare. The announcement, made during a meeting with organised labour at Government House, Owerri, was met with jubilant celebrations from workers and pensioners alike.

Under the revised structure, the state’s minimum wage has increased from N76,000 to N104,000, surpassing the nationally approved N70,000. Medical doctors in the state also saw their entry-level salary jump from N215,000 to N508,000, while other health professionals will now earn a minimum of N108,000. Tertiary institution teachers’ salaries were also boosted, rising from N119,000 to N222,000.

Governor Uzodimma described the wage increase as an investment in the people, emphasizing its importance in addressing the rising cost of living. "We have always recognised that no government can succeed without a friendly and cordial relationship with organised labour, which we rightly describe as the engine room of government," he stated. The governor added that the move reflects his administration’s commitment to fostering a productive relationship with workers and pensioners.

The announcement was accompanied by further financial relief for pensioners, as Uzodimma ordered the immediate release of N16 billion to clear outstanding gratuity arrears across the state. According to pensioners’ chairman, Dr. J.B. Ugochukwu, many retirees had already benefited from earlier payments alongside regular pensions.

Governor Uzodimma attributed the state’s ability to implement these changes to significant fiscal improvements. Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) has risen from less than N400 million in 2020 to nearly N4 billion, while federal allocation increased from N7.5 billion to over N13 billion. He credited these gains to reforms initiated by President Bola Tinubu and said the state’s debt profile had dropped from N280 billion to under N100 billion.

The new salary structure offers additional benefits for healthcare professionals, with senior medical officers now earning up to N1.2 million monthly, and top health workers’ salaries increasing to N803,000, up from the previous range of N77,600–N502,000. Civil servants across other sectors also received significant pay raises.