The Ebonyi State Government has announced an upward review of the minimum wage for workers in the state, raising it from ₦70,000 to ₦90,000.

 

The announcement was made on Thursday by the State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Ikeuwa Omebe, while briefing journalists on the outcome of the State Executive Council (EXCO) meeting.

 

According to Omebe, the increment takes immediate effect and cuts across all categories of workers in the state. He stressed that the decision was driven by the government’s commitment to improving workers’ welfare and not for political gains.

 

“We want to state categorically that this is not a political statement, as this government does not toy with workers’ welfare. The government has offset the pensions and gratuities of state retirees from its creation in 1996 till date. The verification process for retirees in the Local Government Areas has commenced and, when completed, payments will be made,” he said.

 

He further noted that if the government could handle such huge financial obligations, it would not shy away from meeting workers’ needs with the additional ₦20,000 increase.

 

Omebe added that the EXCO also approved the implementation of the eight-year tenure policy for directors, which will see permanent secretaries and directors who have served for that period retire immediately.

 

The development comes just days after Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, announced what is now regarded as the highest minimum wage in Nigeria, raising workers’ pay from ₦70,000 to ₦104,000.