The Imo State government has approved a new minimum wage of ₦104,000 for civil servants in the state, in what is being described as a bold step towards improving workers’ welfare.
Governor Hope Uzodinma, while announcing the development, explained that the adjustment was necessary to cushion the effect of rising living costs and ensure that civil servants are adequately motivated.
In addition to civil servants, the government also reviewed upward the salaries of professionals in key sectors. Under the new wage structure, doctors will now earn between ₦215,000 and ₦503,000, while lecturers will take home between ₦119,000 and ₦222,000.
The increment has generated mixed reactions across the state. While many workers welcomed the decision as a relief in the face of Nigeria’s current economic challenges, some analysts have raised concerns about the sustainability of the wage bill and its impact on the state’s finances.
Labour unions in Imo are expected to engage the government further on the implementation of the new structure in the coming days.
