State Government says pay rise is sustainable, backed by a stronger revenue base and reforms
Civil servants in Imo State are set to receive a new minimum wage of N104,000, beginning with their August 2025 salaries, a move the government insists is both sustainable and reflective of its improved financial standing.
The announcement, made earlier in the week by Governor Hope Uzodimma, generated a wave of excitement among workers but also sparked skepticism from observers who questioned the state’s capacity to maintain what is now the highest wage structure in the country. Addressing these doubts, the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser, Mr. Oguwike Nwachuku, explained that the decision was not a populist gesture but one carefully considered and backed by verifiable growth in the state’s finances.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Morning Brief on Thursday, Nwachuku highlighted a significant rise in the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) as the foundation for the bold step. According to him, when the current administration assumed office, the IGR was less than N400 million. Today, however, it has grown remarkably to between N3 billion and N4 billion monthly. He attributed this surge to the government’s success in blocking leakages, digitising public processes, and fostering a business-friendly environment that attracts both local and foreign investors.
“The government of Hope Uzodimma has invested in building a digital economy and a new template of development,” Nwachuku noted, stressing that the wage increase is a reflection of fiscal discipline and economic progress.
He also pointed to visible achievements across the state, particularly in infrastructure, citing the construction of 46 roads and other developmental projects as proof of prudent management of resources. These, he said, demonstrate that the administration is not only capable of sustaining the new wage but also committed to long-term growth for Imo State.
On the timing of the implementation, the governor’s spokesman clarified that the new wage structure will take effect with August salaries, while consequential adjustments for other cadres of the civil service will be rolled out gradually in the months that follow.
Nwachuku dismissed insinuations that the wage increase was politically motivated, describing it instead as a deliberate and responsible policy decision. He insisted that the state’s strengthened revenue profile provided the confidence to embark on what he called a historic step toward improving the welfare of workers and boosting economic activity in the state.
The development positions Imo State at the forefront of wage reform in Nigeria, setting a benchmark that could reshape discussions about workers’ welfare across the federation.
0 Comments