Minimum Wage: Jubilation as Nigerian Governor Begins Payment of N104,000 Salary to workers

• Civil servants in Imo state are in a jubilant mood following the payment of the new minimum wage
• Governor Hope Uzodimma has commenced payment of the new ₦104,000 salary to civil servants in the South-East state
• The Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Enlightenment, Prince Eze Ugochukwu, shared more details about the new minimum wage policy

Legit.ng journalist Adekunle Dada has over 8 years of experience covering metro, government policy, and international issues

Owerri, Imo State – Governor Hope Uzodimma has commenced payment of the new ₦104,000 minimum wage to civil servants in Imo state.

It was gathered that civil servants received alerts reflecting the new wage structure.

Legit.ng recalls that Governor Uzodimma had promised to pay ₦104,000 to entry-level workers, ₦513,000 to medical doctors, and ₦220,000 as the entry-point salary for lecturers in state-owned tertiary institutions.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Enlightenment, Prince Eze Ugochukwu, said the new wage policy will strengthen the state’s economy and improve workers’ welfare.

As reported by The Punch, he made this known to newsmen in a statement issued on Sunday, October 5, 2025.

Ugochukwu said the wage increase demonstrates the state's commitment to improving the welfare of civil servants and stimulating economic growth across Imo.

“The goal of this wage hike is to bolster the financial capacity of workers, empowering them to better address their requirements and invest in goods and services. This, in turn, would give a shot in the arm to local businesses.

“Following Imo, Lagos is offering the next highest minimum wage, clocking in at ₦88,000, with Rivers coming in at ₦85,000. Akwa Ibom and Bayelsa are close behind, each offering ₦80,000.

“The ramifications of this adjustment will be far-reaching, with economic activity getting a boost. Increased spending will give the local economy a lift.”

Nigerian governor increases minimum wage to N90k

Recall that the Ebonyi state government raised workers’ minimum wage from N70,000 to N90,000 to enhance welfare, effective immediately for all categories.

Commissioner Ikeuwa Omebe stressed that the move was not political, citing pensions and gratuities from 1996 being settled and the ongoing retirees’ verification.

The government also approved the enforcement of the eight-year tenure policy, mandating retirement for directors and permanent secretaries who have served the period.

Governors who increased doctors', health workers' pay

In a previous story, Legit.ng reported that since President Bola Tinubu removed the fuel subsidy, there have been calls on the government to increase the wages of workers across all levels, particularly in the health sector

Aside from Tinubu's government increasing the minimum wage substantially, some states are paying more than what was generally approved, based on their allocations and IGR

Some governors have now gone further to increase the pay of medical doctors and health workers in their state, as a result of brain drain challenges confronting the sector.

Source: Legit.ng