Uzodimma Increases Minimum Wage to N104,000 for Imo Workers, Clears N16bn Gratuity Arrears

Governor Uzodimma revealed a comprehensive salary adjustment across several sectors:

• Civil Service: The new minimum wage is pegged at N104,000, with proportional increases across salary structures.

• Lecturers: Entry-level pay now begins at N222,000, signalling a renewed commitment to strengthening the education sector.

• Doctors: Newly employed medical doctors will earn N508,000, while senior doctors can now take home up to N1.2 million monthly.

• Other Health Workers: Entry-level salary rises to N108,000, with senior cadres earning as high as N803,000 an increase from the previous range of N77,600 to N502,000.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               Read also:

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In addition to the new wage structure, the governor announced the immediate release of N16 billion to clear outstanding pension and gratuity arrears owed to retirees. Payment is scheduled to commence immediately, offering long-awaited relief to thousands of pensioners.

Reacting to the announcement, Dr. J. B. Ugochukwu, Chairman of the Aged Pensioners Association, expressed delight, describing the move as historic and a restoration of dignity to senior citizens.

Governor Uzodimma attributed the upward salary review to improved state finances. He cited the rise in Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) from less than N400 million in 2020 to nearly N4 billion in 2025, alongside an increase in federal allocations from N7.5 billion to over N13 billion.

He further disclosed that the state’s debt profile had dropped from N280 billion to under N100 billion, a development that has freed resources for investment in salaries, infrastructure, healthcare, and youth empowerment.

“These increases are not just numbers; they reflect our commitment to the welfare and dignity of Imo workers. We recognise that no government can succeed without a cordial relationship with organised labour, which remains the engine room of governance,” the governor said.

The announcement sparked jubilation across the state. Leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), National Union of Pensioners (NUP), and Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) all praised the governor for what they called a bold and progressive step.

Professor Boniface Nwogu, Commissioner for Labour, Employment and Productivity, noted that the gesture had effectively resolved long-standing disputes with labour unions.

Imo NLC Chairman, Comrade Uche Chigaemzu, pledged continued cooperation, stressing that workers were now more motivated to support the administration’s developmental agenda.

Governor Uzodimma urged workers to reciprocate the gesture with greater dedication, saying: Those of us making sacrifices must also have reasons to say we did the will of God. This new wage should inspire dignity, commitment, and uncommon service delivery from our workforce.

The wage review event was attended by Deputy Governor Lady Chinyere Ekomaru, Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly Rt. Hon. Chike Olemgbe, his deputy, commissioners, members of the Expanded Executive Council (Exco), and local government council chairpersons.