Uzodimma Increases Imo Workers’ Minimum Wage to N104,000, Clears N16bn Pension Arrears.

Uzodimma Increases Imo Workers’ Minimum Wage to N104,000, Clears N16bn Pension Arrears.

Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, has announced a significant wage increase for state workers, raising the minimum wage from N70,000 to N104,000.

The governor made the declaration during a meeting with organised labour on Tuesday night at the Government House, Owerri. The increment represents an additional N34,000 for civil servants.

Uzodimma also approved a new salary structure for healthcare professionals. Entry-level medical doctors will now earn N508,000 while senior doctors could receive up to N1.2 million. Other health workers’ salaries will range between N108,000 and N803,000, compared to the previous N77,600 to N502,000.

For lecturers, the new entry-level wage has been fixed at N222,000.

To further support retirees, the governor ordered the immediate release of N16 billion to clear outstanding gratuity and pension arrears. He confirmed that the next phase of payments would begin immediately.

“We have always recognised that no government can succeed without a friendly and cordial relationship with organised labour, which we rightly describe as the engine room of government,” Uzodimma said.

He explained that his administration’s fiscal reforms had boosted state revenues, citing a rise in Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) from less than N400 million in 2020 to nearly N4 billion today, and an increase in federal allocation from N7.5 billion to N13 billion.

The governor also noted a drop in Imo’s debt profile from N280 billion to below N100 billion, alongside major investments in infrastructure, healthcare, and youth empowerment.

Challenging workers to reciprocate the gesture, Uzodimma said:

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“Those of us making sacrifices must also have reasons to say we did the will of God.”

The announcement sparked widespread jubilation. Pensioners’ leader Dr. J. B. Ugochukwu hailed the move, while Imo NLC Chairman Uche Chigaemzu, alongside TUC, NUP and NMA leaders, pledged continued support and loyalty.

Commissioner for Labour, Employment, and Productivity, Prof. Boniface Nwogu, described the pay rise as the resolution of all lingering disputes with organised labour.

The event was attended by top government officials, including Deputy Governor Lady Chinyere Ekomaru, Speaker Chike Olemgbe and other members of the state’s executive council.