Siminalayi Fubara, the governor of Rivers State, has officially approved a new minimum wage of N85,000 for civil servants in the state. This decision was announced during a meeting with organized labor representatives at the government house in Port Harcourt on Friday.

Following the meeting, George Nwaeke, head of the Rivers State civil service, revealed that the implementation of the new minimum wage will begin in November. He stated, “Governor Fubara has set a figure that exceeds the national minimum wage, declaring a sum of N85,000, which is above the minimum wage prescribed nationally.”

Nwaeke expressed his satisfaction with the decision, noting, “Rivers State civil servants have never had it this good since the inception of this state.” Labor union leaders and key stakeholders welcomed the governor’s announcement.

Emecheta Chuku, chairman of the joint public service negotiating council, commended the governor’s commitment despite various challenges. “For the governor to announce the N85,000 minimum wage is a source of great joy for us,” Chuku remarked, highlighting Fubara’s understanding of the importance of a living wage.

Alex Agwanwor, chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Rivers, voiced strong support for the governor, stating, “We will support him for the next eight years.” This announcement follows a similar declaration by Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos State, for a minimum wage of N85,000 for civil servants. In July, President Bola Tinubu signed a bill that raised the national minimum wage from N30,000 to N70,000.