Civil servants in Imo State have begun receiving the new ₦104,000 minimum wage, marking the full implementation of Governor Hope Uzodimma’s revised salary structure — one of the highest in Nigeria.
Excitement spread across the state workforce as employees confirmed receiving bank alerts reflecting the wage increase, fulfilling Uzodimma’s earlier promise to boost earnings and improve living conditions.
Under the new salary structure, fresh government workers now earn ₦104,000, while medical doctors receive ₦513,000, and entry-level lecturers in state-owned tertiary institutions earn ₦220,000.
With this move, Imo State now leads the country in public sector pay, surpassing Lagos (₦88,000), Rivers (₦85,000), Akwa Ibom (₦80,000), and Bayelsa (₦80,000).
According to the Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Enlightenment, Prince Eze Ugochukwu, the wage reform is part of Uzodimma’s economic recovery strategy aimed at strengthening workers’ welfare and stimulating local commerce.
“Governor Hope Uzodimma’s administration is spearheading this bold policy shift to enhance the financial capacity of workers, empower families, and drive growth in local markets,” Ugochukwu said.
He added that increased disposable income would translate into higher consumer spending, which is expected to “give a significant boost to small and medium-scale enterprises across the state.”
The government described the wage hike as a testament to its commitment to prioritizing workers’ welfare and setting a new benchmark for progressive governance in Nigeria.
