Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State on Friday declared that the payment of living wages to the state’s workers is their right and not a privilege.
He hinted that their current monthly wage of N104,000, which is the highest in Nigeria, might even be increased with an improved economy as a means of encouraging them towards greater efficiency and productivity.
Uzodimma, who spoke as labour leaders in Nigeria conferred on him a PACESETTER AWARD for his friendly policies and programmes towards the workers of Imo State, said the least he could do for the civil servants in view of the global economic challenges was to pay them living wages.
“When a worker earns N70,000 and inflation is running high, that worker cannot feed his family, pay school fees, pay rent or save for the future. That worker becomes desperate. And desperate workers cannot be productive,” Uzodimma submitted.
He said the payment of the N104,000 minimum wage by his administration is sustainable because Imo is no longer a consumption economy.
Said he, “The internally generated revenue of Imo State has increased significantly. And as long as revenue continues to grow, we will continue to enhance workers’ welfare.”
He declared that his goal was to ensure that no Imo worker struggles to meet basic needs. “As the economy improves, as our revenue base expands, we will continue to review salaries upwards,” he assured.
Uzodimma said the policies that earned him the recognition—including prompt salary payment, lifting the embargo on promotions, and allowing unions to conduct elections freely—were not favours but obligations of responsible governance.
“I only did what any well-meaning governor should do. Payment of workers’ salaries and promotion when due are statutory obligations,” he said.
He explained that Imo State adopted a creative approach to revenue generation to cushion the impact of economic reforms introduced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, particularly the removal of fuel subsidy.
He urged workers to remain disciplined and committed to duty, describing them as “the backbone of government.”
Expressing his interest in rewarding dedicated workers, Governor Uzodimma announced a cash gift of one million naira each to 27 most dedicated local government staff and five million naira to the staff member who won the star prize as best local government worker.
The President-General of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees, Aliyu Haruna Kankara, commended Governor Uzodimma for improving workers’ welfare and strengthening local government administration in Imo State.
He described the governor as “a leader who has demonstrated good governance and restored hope among workers.”
Kankara praised Uzodimma for allowing union elections without interference, promoting staff, and implementing a N104,000 wage for local government workers.
“This bold step shows that workers’ welfare matters and has placed Imo among states prioritising the dignity of public servants. The governor is paying workers a living wage and not a minimum wage,” he said.
The NULGE president, who also represented Comrade Joe Ajaero of the Nigeria Labour Congress, urged other governors to emulate the policy and adopt similar wage improvements across the country.
Kankara reminded Governor Uzodimma that the award bestowed on him is taken seriously by all workers across the 36 states of Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory and that the political implications cannot be overlooked.
The Imo State Chairman of NULGE, Comrade Charles Okechukwu Okeke, commended Uzodimma for policies that improved workers’ welfare and strengthened union democracy in Imo State.
He said the governor resisted pressure from influential individuals and insisted on a free and fair union election, which restored peace among them. He also highlighted that Governor Uzodimma lifted a promotion embargo that lasted from 2014 and approved double promotions for workers.
The chairman further praised the governor for approving a N104,000 minimum wage for workers in the state, describing it as the highest in the country.
“Imo workers are today enjoying the highest minimum wage in Nigeria,” he said, assuring that the workers would reciprocate by remaining disciplined and dedicated to their duties.
The highlight of the event was the presentation of the Pacesetter Award conferred on Governor Uzodimma by the Imo State chapter of NULGE.
Present at the event were the Deputy Governor, Lady Chinyere Ekomaru, and her husband, Chief Chukwuma Ekomaru (SAN); the Speaker, Imo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Chike Olemgbe; former Deputy Governors, Prof. Placid Njoku and Sir Jude Agbaso; APC Chairman in Imo State, Hon. Austin Onyedebelu; some members of the House of Assembly; members of the State Expanded Executive Council; Imo stakeholders; the SA on Labour Matters, Comrade Austin Chilakpu; the Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress in Imo State, Comrade Uche Chigaemezu Nwaigwe; local government council chairmen; and staff who came in their numbers to celebrate the governor.
