Imo State government has defended its new N104,000 minimum wage assuring that its backed by strong IGR growth and fiscal reforms, not politics.
Speaking on Channels TV on Thursday, the Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser to the Governor,Mr. Oguwike Nwachuku, addressed public skepticism that followed Governor Hope Uzodimma’s Tuesday announcement.
Nwachuku pointed to a massive increase in the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), which has reportedly grown from ₦400 million to between ₦3 billion and ₦4 billion monthly under the Uzodimma administration.
“This revenue growth is a direct result of our digital transformation, leakages blocked, and improved investor confidence. The new wage is realistic,” Nwachuku said.
He emphasized that the wage review was a deliberate, data-driven decision, not a populist gesture tied to political gain.
Nwachuku also cited the state’s infrastructure record—46 roads constructed across Imo—as evidence of sound financial planning and efficient resource allocation.
He added that the digital economy strategy implemented by the Uzodimma-led government was yielding real fiscal dividends, allowing the state to better manage resources and obligations.
According to the CPS, the new wage structure will be reflected in the August 2025 salary payments.
“Consequential adjustments for other cadres of the civil service will follow in the coming months,” he clarified.
The wage announcement drew both praise and skepticism, especially as it significantly exceeds federal minimum wage proposals and what most other states currently pay.
Imo now joins the shortlist of states pushing bold fiscal reforms aimed at cushioning economic hardship and boosting civil service morale, even as critics raise questions about long-term affordability.
