(DDM) – Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State has approved an increase in the minimum wage for civil servants from N70,000 to N90,000.
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that the announcement was made by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Ikeuwa Omebe, after a State Executive Council meeting on Thursday.
Omebe disclosed that the implementation of the new wage would commence immediately, covering all categories of workers across the state.
He stated that the governor’s decision reflected a deliberate commitment to improving workers’ welfare, rather than a political gesture.
“This administration does not toy with workers’ welfare,” Omebe said, stressing that the review was part of Nwifuru’s people-oriented governance approach.
Beyond wage increases, the commissioner revealed that the state government had cleared outstanding pension and gratuity arrears for retirees dating back to 1996, when Ebonyi was created.
Omebe explained that a verification process was ongoing for retirees from local government areas to ensure prompt payment once the exercise concludes.
He assured that the governor’s action was guided by the “biblical people’s charter of needs mantra,” which prioritises the needs of the citizens.
According to him, the policy aligns with Nwifuru’s broader agenda of economic support and social security for Ebonyi residents.
The wage review marks one of the highest in Nigeria since economic challenges worsened due to inflation, fuel subsidy removal, and rising cost of living.
Labour unions in the state are expected to welcome the increase, as many states are yet to meet the previous national benchmark of N30,000.
Analysts note that Ebonyi’s decision may pressure other states, especially within the All Progressives Congress (APC), to review their wage structures.
Omebe reiterated that the move followed exhaustive deliberations by the Executive Council, which approved its immediate enforcement for permanent secretaries, directors, and other categories of civil servants.
The announcement comes as workers nationwide continue to demand higher wages to offset the impact of Nigeria’s economic downturn.
Governor Nwifuru’s policy, observers say, could serve as a benchmark for other governors amid ongoing negotiations between the Federal Government and organised labour for a new national minimum wage.
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