Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has announced the implementation of an N80,000 minimum wage for approximately 45,984 verified public servants in the state, effective January 2025. This decision follows a report from the Committee on the Implementation of the New Minimum Wage, which was presented to the governor.
Governor Eno expressed gratitude to the committee for its work and indicated that the payment would take effect from November 1, 2024. During the verification process, it was noted that out of a staff strength of 55,120, 52,177 personnel participated, while 2,943 did not show up and 6,193 had verification issues.
The governor emphasized the importance of the civil service and pledged to prioritize the welfare of its employees. He also called for the verification process to extend to retired workers and acknowledged the need for yearly verifications to ensure accurate records.
In his remarks, Eno highlighted the financial challenges faced by the state and reiterated the government’s commitment to improving workers’ conditions. He has already allocated over ₦47 billion in gratuities to address outstanding debts from previous administrations.
The governor’s announcement aims to ameliorate the harsh economic conditions faced by public servants in Akwa Ibom, with plans for further verification exercises to enhance transparency and accountability in the payment of salaries and pensions.
