By Muhammad Mamman
Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma has announced a sweeping wage increase for civil servants, doctors, and lecturers in the state, describing the move as a “bold investment” in workers’ welfare and the local economy.
Speaking during a late-night meeting with labour leaders at the Government House in Owerri on Tuesday, Uzodimma revealed that the state’s minimum wage will rise from ₦76,000 to ₦104,000. Doctors’ salaries have been adjusted from ₦215,000 to ₦503,000, while lecturers at tertiary institutions will now earn ₦222,000, up from ₦119,000.
“There is no way any government will do well if it doesn’t have a cordial relationship with organised labour,” Uzodimma said. “When workers are paid well, productivity rises, families are happier, and the local economy grows.”
The governor credited reforms under President Bola Tinubu and improved state revenue for enabling the increases. He said Imo’s internally generated revenue had jumped from ₦400 million in 2020 to more than ₦3 billion monthly, while federal allocations had nearly doubled to ₦14 billion. The state’s debt, he added, has dropped from over ₦280 billion to below ₦100 billion.
Uzodimma also pledged to begin settling outstanding gratuities worth ₦16 billion owed to pensioners from August 27. He highlighted investments in healthcare, including a state health insurance scheme and upgrades to medical facilities, while stressing that infrastructure and security remain top priorities.
Framing the wage hike as a response to rising living costs following fuel subsidy removal, Uzodimma said the challenge ahead is ensuring that “the dividends of reform policies trickle down to the common man on the street.”
