Uzodimma Approves N104,000 Minimum Wage for Imo Workers, Clears N16bn Gratuity Arrears
Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, has announced a new minimum wage of N104,000 for civil servants in the state, up from the previous N70,000. The governor made the declaration on Tuesday night during a meeting with organised labour at the Government House, Owerri.
The pay rise, representing an additional N34,000, was accompanied by a comprehensive salary adjustment across various sectors. Medical doctors entering the state’s service will now earn N508,000, while those in higher positions could receive up to N1.2 million. Other categories of health workers will start at N108,000, with the highest earners in the sector now taking home as much as N803,000, a significant leap from the earlier N77,600–N502,000 bracket.
For the academic sector, the new entry-level salary for lecturers has been fixed at N222,000, while other cadres in the civil service will also benefit from the upward review according to their structures.
In addition, Uzodimma approved the immediate disbursement of N16 billion to offset outstanding pension and gratuity arrears for retirees. He promised that the next phase of the payments would commence immediately. The announcement was met with excitement, with leaders of pensioners and organised labour praising the governor’s decision.
Speaking at the event, the governor said the wage review reflects his administration’s commitment to workers’ welfare. He noted that the state’s improved finances — with Internally Generated Revenue rising from below N400 million in 2020 to nearly N4 billion, and federal allocation growing from N7.5 billion to over N13 billion — made the increase possible. He credited these gains to President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms, which, according to him, are yielding results.
Uzodimma also pointed out that Imo’s debt burden had dropped from about N280 billion to under N100 billion, while his government had expanded investments in infrastructure, healthcare, and youth empowerment. He urged workers to reciprocate the gesture with commitment and diligence.
The Commissioner for Labour, Prof. Boniface Nwogu, described the development as a “final resolution of all pending disputes with labour,” while leaders of the NLC, TUC, NUP, and NMA pledged continued support for the government.
The meeting was attended by top government officials, lawmakers, union leaders, and representatives of local councils.
Read more: Uzodimma Approves N104,000 Minimum Wage for Imo Workers, Clears N16bn Gratuity Arrears
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