Nigeria's Imo State will implement a new minimum wage of N104,000 (naira) for civil servants starting with August 2025 salaries, says the Governor Hope Uzodimma administration.

Oguwike Nwachuku, Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser to the governor, confirmed the wage hike during an interview on Channels TV’s The Morning Brief on August 28, 2025.

The increase, raising the minimum wage from N76,000, has sparked both enthusiasm and skepticism about its affordability compared to other Nigerian states.

“This is not a populist move but a sustainable one, backed by significant improvements in the state’s financial standing,” Nwachuku said, emphasizing the decision’s grounding in fiscal prudence.

The state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) has grown from less than N400 million to N3-4 billion monthly, driven by efforts to curb financial leakages, digitize government processes, and foster investment.

Nwachuku pointed to infrastructure projects, including 46 new roads, as evidence of the administration’s economic strategy. He clarified that while the N104,000 minimum wage takes effect in August, adjustments for other civil service cadres will follow in subsequent months.

The wage increase positions Imo among Nigeria’s highest-paying states for civil servants, potentially setting a benchmark for others.

However, sustaining the hike amid economic challenges will test the state’s fiscal management and revenue strategies.