Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has set a new standard for public sector wages in Nigeria by approving a minimum wage of N80,000 for state and local government workers. This historic increase, the highest in the country, will be effective from October 2024.

The announcement was made on Thursday after a meeting between the Governor, the State Minimum Wage Implementation Committee, led by Head of Service Kenneth Ugwu, and labor leaders. Governor Mbah emphasized that this decision reflects his administration’s commitment to the welfare of workers and aligns with broader economic objectives, including poverty reduction.

“This new wage demonstrates our fidelity to the promises we made during the campaign,” said Mbah, reaffirming his pledge to enhance worker welfare.

Labor leaders, including Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) State Chairman Comrade Fabian Nwigbo, have praised the move, noting that the wage hike far exceeds the national minimum wage. Comrade Ben Asogwa, Chairman of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in the state, also commended the governor for addressing disparities in local government worker salaries.

Local authorities, represented by Hon. Okechukwu Edeh, Chairman of the Association of Local Government Workers (ALGON), have expressed their readiness to implement the new wage structure, citing the positive impact on worker motivation and productivity.