Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has approved a new minimum wage of N104,000 for civil servants, representing a major increase from the previous N76,000. The announcement was made on Tuesday night during a meeting with labour union leaders at the Government House, Owerri.
The governor also sanctioned significant pay raises for key professional groups. Doctors’ minimum wage will now rise from N215,000 to N503,000, while lecturers in tertiary institutions will earn at least N222,000, up from N119,000.
“When workers are paid well, productivity rises, families are happier, and the local economy grows. This is our way of investing in Imo people,” Uzodimma said.
Reflecting on his administration’s journey since 2020, Uzodimma recalled challenges including insecurity, the COVID-19 pandemic, economic hardships from reform policies, and repeated disputes over minimum wage and fuel subsidy removal. He however noted progress in the state’s finances: internally generated revenue has climbed from N400 million to over N3 billion monthly, federal allocations have grown from N5–7 billion in 2020 to N14 billion, and the debt profile has dropped from more than N280 billion to under N100 billion.
On infrastructure, Uzodimma said his government has invested heavily in road reconstruction and security after the collapse of critical facilities in 2020. He acknowledged that President Bola Tinubu’s fuel subsidy removal has increased the cost of living but stressed that it is beginning to yield economic dividends.
“What government must do now is ensure that the benefits of this policy reach the ordinary citizen,” he stated, pledging transparency in the use of state funds.
The governor also announced that the state will begin payment of the final N16 billion owed in gratuities to pensioners starting August 27. He outlined reforms in the health sector, including new insurance schemes and upgraded hospitals, and reaffirmed Imo’s participation in the Federal Government’s plan to establish 1,000 businesses in every active INEC ward.
Uzodimma urged labour unions to maintain unity and a cordial relationship with the government, while discouraging unethical practices and redundancy in the workplace. He reiterated his commitment to prioritizing workers’ welfare and boosting Imo’s economy through inclusive development.
