Imo State minimum wage has been increased to N104,000 as Governor Hope Uzodimma boosts workers’ welfare and raises salaries for doctors and lecturers.
Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, has announced a significant increase in the minimum wage for civil servants in the state, raising it from N76,000 to N104,000.
The decision, which has been widely welcomed by labour leaders, underscores his administration’s renewed commitment to improving workers’ welfare and boosting economic productivity across the state.
The governor made the pronouncement during a high-level meeting with leaders of organised labour unions on Tuesday night at the Government House in Owerri.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the wage review did not only affect civil servants but also extended to key professional sectors in the state.
As part of the adjustments, the minimum wage for medical doctors was increased from N215,000 to N503,000, while lecturers in tertiary institutions saw their salaries rise from N119,000 to N222,000.
Other categories of workers are also expected to benefit from proportional salary adjustments in line with the new wage structure.
In his address, Governor Uzodimma emphasised that no government could achieve sustainable success without cultivating a cordial relationship with its workforce.
According to him, workers remain the engine room of government policies and, when properly motivated, they contribute positively to the growth of both families and the larger economy.
“There is no way any government will do well if it does not have a friendly and cordial relationship with the organised labour,” Uzodimma said.
“When workers are paid well, productivity increases, families are happier, and the local economy expands. This adjustment is not just about wages—it is a long-term investment in the people of Imo.”
He explained that his government’s policy direction was anchored on transparency, accountability, and inclusiveness, stressing that civil servants must feel the positive impact of governance.
Governor Uzodimma highlighted the progress made in stabilising the state’s finances since he took office in 2020.
At the time, Imo was grappling with collapsed infrastructure, a heavy debt burden, and dwindling revenue.
He disclosed that monthly Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) had grown from just N400 million in 2020 to over N3 billion currently.
Federal allocations to the state, which used to average between N5 billion and N7 billion, have now doubled to about N14 billion.
On debt management, the governor noted that the state’s debt profile, which stood at over N280 billion in 2020, has been reduced to below N100 billion, a feat he described as evidence of prudent fiscal management and reform-driven governance.
Beyond wages, Uzodimma recalled that when he assumed office, Imo was plagued by infrastructural collapse and security challenges.
He said significant investments have since been made to rehabilitate key roads, strengthen security operations, and restore normalcy in troubled areas.
He further explained that while the removal of fuel subsidy by the Federal Government had pushed up the cost of living, the decision carried long-term benefits for Nigeria’s economic stability.
According to him, the challenge now before subnational governments is how to ensure that the dividends of the reform reach ordinary citizens.
“It is a thing of joy that we have started seeing the dividends of that bold decision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to remove fuel subsidy,” he said.
“Our role as a responsible government is to ensure that the benefits of such reforms trickle down to the common man in Imo State.”
The governor also disclosed that beginning August 27, his administration will commence the payment of the last tranche of N16 billion gratuities owed to pensioners in the state.
He reassured retirees that his government remains committed to clearing outstanding entitlements and respecting the contributions of those who had served the state diligently.
In the health sector, Uzodimma outlined reforms such as the introduction of a state health insurance scheme and the equipping of medical facilities to provide citizens with access to world-class healthcare.
He maintained that the reforms were designed to guarantee that every Imo resident, regardless of income level, could access quality medical treatment.
Highlighting youth empowerment, the governor revealed that Imo had fully embraced the Federal Government’s initiative to establish 1,000 businesses in every active INEC ward.
He described the programme as a platform for job creation, poverty reduction, and entrepreneurship development, assuring that the state government will continue to support small and medium-scale enterprises.
Governor Uzodimma appealed to labour unions to strengthen cooperation with government in the interest of sustainable development.
He urged workers to avoid unethical practices, redundancy, and lack of commitment in the workplace, stressing that the wage increase comes with an expectation of greater productivity and service delivery..
Mr. Uchechigemezu Nwigwe, Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Imo State Chapter, described the new wage as a “victory for the entire workforce.”
He commended the governor for showing compassion and political will at a time when workers across the country were battling harsh economic realities.
“Today, no worker in Imo will say you have not been fair to us,” Nwigwe told the governor.
He also prayed for God’s continued protection over Uzodimma and assured him that workers would repay his goodwill with renewed commitment, diligence, and efficiency in service delivery.
Similarly, Mr. Uchenna Ibe, Chairman of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in Imo, applauded the governor for his “bold political decisions,” describing the wage increase and other reforms as historic.
He pledged the support of organised labour in ensuring that the state continues on the path of progress.
With the new minimum wage of N104,000 and substantial increases for professionals such as doctors and lecturers, Imo State has positioned itself among states paying the highest wages in Nigeria.
Governor Uzodimma’s administration, by combining fiscal prudence, infrastructural renewal, and social investment, has sought to strike a balance between reform-driven governance and the welfare of workers.
For Imo workers, the new wage is not just a financial relief but also a recognition of their contributions to the growth and development of the state.