Workers in Rivers State have erupted in jubilation following the state government’s payment of the newly approved N85,000 minimum wage. The payment, which was made as part of the November 2024 salary disbursements, has brought relief and excitement, especially among public school teachers and other civil servants in the state.
Governor Siminalayi Fubara had announced the new wage earlier this year, positioning it as a bold step to ease the financial burdens on workers amid Nigeria’s challenging economic climate. While the federal government had set the new minimum wage at N70,000, Governor Fubara exceeded the national benchmark, setting Rivers State’s minimum wage at N85,000.
The decision was made possible by a significant increase in the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), which rose from N11 billion under the previous administration to a remarkable N27 billion under Governor Fubara’s leadership. The governor had assured that the state would use this revenue boost to fulfill its commitment to the workers.
Chukwuma Osunna, the Chairman of the Nigeria Civil Service Union in Rivers State, confirmed the payment of the N85,000 wage, expressing satisfaction that the governor had fulfilled his promise. “As of today, November 27, 2024, I can confirm that the governor has paid the N85,000 new minimum wage to workers, and they are happy,” Osunna said in an interview.
This move has been widely celebrated, with many workers expressing their gratitude to the state government for the pay raise. It comes as a significant step in addressing the rising cost of living and improving the welfare of civil servants in the state.
Rivers State joins a growing list of states in Nigeria that have made efforts to increase workers’ wages, as other states like Kano also take similar steps. This trend highlights regional governments’ commitment to improving the standard of living for workers and strengthening their economic resilience in the face of inflationary pressures.
The jubilation in Rivers is not just about the pay increase but also about the sense of fulfillment that comes with a government that listens to the needs of its people and takes practical steps to support them.
