Governor Uzodinma Approves N104,000 Minimum Wage In Imo

By: Aremu Toyeebaht

Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma’s has positioned the state among the states with the highest wage structure for public sector workers following the approval of a new minimum wage of N104,000 for civil servants.

The approval, announced on Tuesday night during a meeting with labour leaders at the Government House in Owerri, marks a significant jump from the previous N76,000.

Uzodinma also reviewed  the salaries of doctors, who will now earn a minimum of N503,000, up from N215,000, while lecturers in tertiary institutions will receive N222,000, up from N119,000.

Explaining the decision, Uzodimma acknowledged the multiple challenges his administration had faced since inception, ranging from insecurity and COVID-19 to economic hardship caused by national reform policies and disputes over wage adjustments.

He said, “We tried as a government to always put it behind our mind that there is no way any government will do well if it doesn’t have a friendly and cordial relationship with the organised labour.

“When workers are paid well, productivity rises, families are happier, and the local economy grows.”

Reacting, the state Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr. Uchechigemezu Nwigwe, hailed the new wage package as “a victory for the entire work force in the state.”

Nwigwe praised the governor for not only easing the burden of workers amid economic hardship but also making Imo one of the highest-paying states in Nigeria.

“Today, no worker in Imo will say you (Uzodimma) have not been fair to us,” he declared.