Imo State Civil Servants Now Highest Paid in Nigeria
Imo State has officially taken the national lead in worker compensation, commencing the payment of a new minimum wage of \text{₦}104,000 to its civil servants. The new salary structure, implemented by the administration of Governor Hope Uzodimma, became effective with the September 2025 payroll cycle, establishing the highest minimum wage rate across Nigeria.
The significant increase instantly positions Imo State at the forefront of worker welfare, surpassing the minimum wage figures of other economically prominent states.
Economic Strategy: Boosting Consumption and Livelihoods
The state government has framed the substantial pay raise as a crucial economic intervention. Governor Uzodimma’s office stated that the increase is primarily designed to significantly enhance the purchasing power of the workforce. This boost is expected to stimulate local businesses and economic activity across the state.
Officials emphasized that the move is a deliberate strategy to improve the living standards of civil servants and their dependents, providing relief amid rising costs of living.
Imo’s Wage Rate Towers Over Other States
With the new \text{₦}104,000 benchmark, Imo State now pays the highest minimum wage in the country, leading the comparative rates of other high-profile states:
- Lagos State: \text{₦}88,000
- Rivers State: \text{₦}85,000
- Akwa Ibom and Bayelsa States: \text{₦}80,000
The Governor’s office confirmed that the payment was successfully integrated into the recent payroll, fulfilling a key commitment to the state’s public sector employees.