The wage hikes announced by Imo and Ebonyi States this week have sent shockwaves across Nigeria, fueling fresh demands on governors to review salaries or face heightened labour unrest.
On Tuesday, Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma unveiled a new minimum wage of ₦104,000, significantly higher than the ₦70,000 national benchmark signed into law last year. Medical doctors in the state saw their pay leap from ₦215,000 to ₦503,000, while lecturers’ salaries rose from ₦119,000 to ₦222,000.
Barely a day later, Ebonyi State followed suit, approving a flat ₦20,000 wage increase across board after a State Executive Council meeting in Abakaliki.
The moves were hailed as “commendable” by Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President, Joe Ajaero, who declared:
“If Imo, which is not even the highest in revenue, can pay ₦100,000 and above, other states must do better. That is the essence of minimum wage.”
Pressure on Other States
The developments have stirred agitation nationwide:
- Edo NLC vowed to push Governor Monday Okpebholo, who recently raised wages to ₦75,000, for another review.
- Bayelsa NLC said it was “consulting widely” but noted civil servants there already earn among the highest wages in Nigeria.
- Abia and Anambra labour leaders praised their governors’ past efforts but demanded further reviews, with Anambra’s TUC chair remarking: “We’re like Oliver Twist, we need more.”
- Enugu NLC insisted on full consequential adjustments to avoid senior workers being sidelined.
- Oyo unions expressed optimism that Governor Seyi Makinde, who pays ₦80,000, would “raise the bar” again.
Resistance from Weaker States
However, not all states are convinced they can meet the rising expectations:
- Taraba’s Head of Service warned that the state is struggling to pay existing salaries.
- Plateau State dismissed the idea outright, saying it would “push government finances to the edge.”
- Niger State confirmed there are “no immediate plans” to exceed its current ₦80,000 minimum wage.
- Kwara NLC admitted workers were “still where we were.”
A New Wage Battle Line
With rising federal allocations following fuel subsidy removal, labour leaders argue that governors have little justification for resisting higher pay amid soaring inflation.
For many workers, the Imo and Ebonyi breakthroughs are a beacon of hope. As one unionist in Anambra put it:
“The money in our pockets is no longer enough. If others can pay more, so can our governors.”