President Bola Tinubu, in July 2024, signed the National Minimum Wage Act, elevating the national wage from ₦30,000 to ₦70,000.
Recently, Imo and Ebonyi, two South-East States raised workers’ wages above ₦70,000.
The Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma on August 27, 2025, approved an increase in the minimum wage from ₦70,000 to ₦104,000 to improve the welfare of workers in the State.
Twenty-four hours later, the Ebonyi State Government announced a new minimum wage of ₦90,000 with immediate effect for all civil and public servants, an increase of ₦20,000 from the previous wage of ₦70,000.
Before the coming of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, Imo State federal statutory allocation (FAAC) was ₦5billion, today, it is between ₦12 and ₦13billion, while the State’s monthly Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) increased from ₦400 million in 2020 to nearly ₦4 billion in 2025.
From 1st quarter 2025 data: Ebonyi State’s share of FAAC stood at ₦41.110 billion, representing 14.7% of the annual budgeted ₦279.039 billion. Additionally, from January to June 2025, the State received approximately ₦99.63 billion in net federal allocations.
While some analysts attributed the development to increased revenue, another source, who preferred anonymity alleged that it was a deliberate plan by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to attract sympathy votes from the South-East region in 2027 general elections.
The source noted that the policy would also be implemented in all APC States in the South-South region.
This is as a political pressure group under the aegis of the “Mazi Organization”, expressed doubts over the new minimum wage of N104,000 recently announced by the government of Imo State
The group in a statement, signed by Cajetan Dukes, its spokesman, argued that the implementation of the new wage might be impossible going by the antecedents of the State Governor, Hope Uzodimma.
Dukes wondered why up till date there is no official communication from the government, showing details and authenticity of the wage increase and called for an officially endorsed implementation framework detailing timelines, categories of workers affected and modalities for payment.
He expressed worries that the new wage is not eliciting the expected excitement and jubilation from workers, because of repeated failed promises and half implemented policies by the government.
According to him Imo workers were tired of being told what sounds good on paper but never affected their pockets.
“Imo workers are tired of promises that are always on principles and never in practice”, the statement said.
Dukes disclosed that workers and pensioners in the State complained bitterly of unpaid or incomplete salaries, arrears stretching back to 2020, endless and futile verification exercises that yielded no tangible relief and cases of denial of due increments for promoted staff.
Eze Ugochukwu, of the Imo Public Enlightenment Unit, in a statement said that the initiative, which raised the minimum wage for civil servants to ₦104,000, introduced substantial increases for other key sectors, including healthcare and education.
According to him, the decision to increase the minimum wage for civil servants to ₦104,000 is a landmark achievement that reflects the government’s commitment to improving the living standards of its workforce.
“By providing a more livable wage, the government aims to reduce poverty levels and enhance the quality of life for civil servants and their families.
“In a move that underscores the importance of the healthcare sector, the new salary structure raises entry-level salaries for doctors to ₦582,000. This adjustment not only acknowledges the critical role that healthcare professionals play in society, but also serves as an incentive to attract and retain qualified personnel in the state.
“Improved remuneration for doctors is expected to lead to better healthcare delivery, as satisfied and well-compensated professionals are more likely to provide high-quality services. This will ultimately result in improved health outcomes for the citizens of Imo State.
The new salary structure according to Ugochukwu, also addresses the educational sector, with entry-level salaries for lecturers set at ₦222,000.
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“This increase is a strategic investment in the future of education in Imo State. By offering competitive salaries, the government aims to attract talented individuals into academia, thereby enhancing the quality of education.
“A well-compensated teaching workforce is likely to foster a more motivated and effective educational environment, which can lead to better student performance and, consequently, a more educated populace.
“These reforms will also contribute to reducing brain drain, as competitive salaries can retain skilled professionals within the state, fostering a more robust workforce. Governor Hope Uzodimma’s unveiling of the new salary structures in Imo State marks a pivotal moment in the state’s governance”, Ugochukwu stated.
Ikeuwa Omabah, commissioner for Information and State Orientation in Ebonyi State, declared that the ₦90,000 upward review of workers’ minimum wage has come to stay.
Speaking during an in-depth media interaction with Business Day in Abakaliki, he emphasised that this is not a political manoeuvre, but a true reflection of the administration’s vision.
“The upward review of workers’ salaries in Ebonyi State is not a political issue, and it can never be,” Omabah affirmed. “This government is genuinely concerned about the welfare of workers practically demonstrating that workers’ welfare lies at the very heart of the “People’s Charter of Need”, the guiding vision of Governor Nwifuru’s administration”.
Beyond the salary review, the commissioner revealed a historic milestone: “This administration has cleared the pension and gratuity backlog for all state retirees from 1996 to date.”
He added that the government hasn’t stopped there. “A committee chaired by Catherine Ogbu, wife of the former deputy governor, has been set up to verify and settle the entitlements of local government retirees from 1996 onward.
“That is governance in action not politics,” Omabah declared.
“Sustainability and non-sustainability shouldn’t even be up for debate, considering the lengths we’ve gone to in securing workers’ welfare. The answer to concerns about the permanence of this wage review already lies in our actions.”
On whether the wage increase was driven by higher Federal allocations, the commissioner highlighted internal discipline first: “Fundamentally, this wage review stems from prudent management of State resources. Yes, Federal allocations have improved, but without wise stewardship, those funds mean little.”
“We’ve also enhanced internally generated revenue and attracted donor contributions,” Omabah added. “These, combined with prudent financial management, place Ebonyi among the most fiscally disciplined states in Nigeria.”
Turning to workers’ morale, the commissioner commended their responsiveness. “Our civil servants have shown incredible dedication often working beyond hours and even accepting government-arranged transport from their hometowns at day’s end. That kind of reciprocity speaks volumes.”
When questioned about wage structure concerns particularly the absence of a salary table leading to equal increments across all levels Omabah acknowledged the issue. “We’re aware the NLC once protested that Ebonyi lacked a proper wage structure. Now, with this flat ₦20,000 across board, senior and junior staff receive the same increment. That’s not ideal”.
Civil service motivation hinges on progressive pay level 2 earning more than level 1, and so forth. That growth encouragement is missing when everyone receives the same enhancement.”
Reflecting on Federal allocation volatility, the commissioner offered reassurance. “We don’t pray for a drop in Federal allocations. But should such a challenge arise, we’ll explore all legitimate means even borrowing to fulfil our promises to workers”.
Jacob Ogodo, a senior civil servant, welcomed the increment: “We’re delighted. ₦20,000 will go a long way in cushioning the effects of economic recession on workers.” But he added: “It was applied across the board, that’s not fair. Level 1 and Level 16 both got ₦20,000. Civil service thrives on progression. Without consequential adjustments, motivation wanes”.
Ijeomah Arodiogbu, the national vice chairman of the APC, South-East, praised Governors Hope Uzodimma and Francis Nwifuru, for increasing the minimum wage for civil servants in their various States, describing it as a testament to exceptional leadership and resource management
Arodiogbu, lauded the Governors for what he called remarkable fiscal discipline.
“Governors Hope Uzodimma and Nwifuru have demonstrated extraordinary leadership, by achieving this minimum wage, through diligent management of resources and effectively blocking leakages from ghost workers and multiple salaries that plagued past administrations”, he stated.
The Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association urged State Governments to raise civil servants’ pay above the current ₦70,000 minimum, stating that rising Federal revenues remove the excuse for inaction amid a worsening cost of living.
Adewale Smatt-Oyerinde, the group’s director-general, while speaking in a television monitored programme, argued that higher inflows to the Federation Account mean States can no longer justify retaining the ₦70,000 wage, while citizens struggle with rising food and transport costs.
He said, “So, no State really has an excuse in the context of the current reality to stay at that ₦70,000, especially with people struggling with the price of petrol. While many States are still doing a lot with the CNG buses, we think more still needs to be done.
“A lot still needs to be done with the context of food security and shelter. Once you deal with that, the conversation would not really be about minimum wage because the quantum of that ₦70,000 will be able to buy enough for an average household. So it’s not about the quantum. It’s about what exactly the ₦70,000 can buy”, the NECA DG stated.
Smatt-Oyerinde emphasised that any measure aimed at reducing the pain of workers is essential to boost economy and productivity.
“While we are not directly involved in the core, the real dynamics of the State, the socio-economic challenges that they have, it is important to also state that the workers, either in the public or private sector, are key drivers of the economy of any State and a key driver of even the private sector.
“And whatever will improve productivity will increase motivation, especially within the context of the reforms that we are ongoing. You know, if you are hungry, or if you’re not really composed, you’re hungry, you have shelter issues, you have transport issues, hardly would you be productive at work”, Smatt-Oyerinde said.
So if you see it from that perspective, you realise then it becomes important for you to address the issues that concern that engine.
“And that’s the perception of the private sector, because the workers in the private sector are quite critical to productivity, critical to growth of the private sector, and that is the perception we have, that workers are important, then let’s treat them as the ILO said that workers are not commodities,” he added.
