Governor Mbah Approves N80,000 Minimum Wage for Enugu Workers

By Onoja Baba, Nigeria

Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has approved a new minimum wage of N80,000 for workers in the state, effective October 2024. 

The announcement was made on Thursday through his official X account, highlighting a significant wage increase aimed at enhancing the welfare of the state’s workforce.

“I have just approved a minimum wage of N80,000 for Enugu workers, effective October 2024. We appreciate the hard work and sacrifices of the state’s workforce and will continue to prioritise their welfare in line with our campaign promises,” Governor Mbah stated.

Enugu’s move aligns with similar decisions in other Nigerian states. Just a day earlier, Akwa Ibom Governor Umo Eno announced an N80,000 minimum wage for the state’s civil servants. In mid-October, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu set the minimum wage at N85,000 for public sector workers. 

Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara followed suit on October 18, approving an N85,000 minimum wage for workers in Rivers.

These state-level adjustments come on the heels of a federal increase. 

In July, President Bola Tinubu signed a new minimum wage bill into law, raising the national baseline salary from N30,000 to N70,000. Governor Mbah’s decision to set Enugu’s minimum wage at N80,000 reflects a growing trend among state governments to improve the financial wellbeing of their employees.

Governor Mbah’s announcement underscores a broader effort to address the economic challenges faced by public sector workers in Nigeria. 

With inflationary pressures affecting living standards, the new wage is seen as a crucial step in alleviating the burden on civil servants in Enugu.