Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State has announced that the implementation of the recently approved ₦80,000 minimum wage for civil servants will be deferred until the completion of an ongoing staff verification exercise.
Speaking during a church service in Uyo on Sunday, Governor Eno stressed that the verification process was essential to ensure that only legitimate employees receive payments. “We are aware that some civil servants have relocated either within Nigeria or abroad. It is critical to confirm that those on the payroll are genuine civil servants,” he stated.
The ₦80,000 minimum wage, approved weeks ago, is ₦10,000 higher than the national benchmark. Governor Eno underscored his administration’s commitment to transparency and accountability, with his spokesperson, Ekerete Udoh, assuring that the verification exercise would be concluded soon.
To facilitate implementation, a committee was established to determine consequential adjustments to the new wage structure. The committee, which includes Akwa Ibom Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Chairperson Sunny James, is expected to submit its findings later this month.
Governor Eno urged patience from labor unions amid potential dissatisfaction over the delay, cautioning against actions that could strain the government’s relationship with organized labor. While some states like Lagos, Rivers, and Enugu have initiated or announced dates for their revised minimum wages, Akwa Ibom has yet to specify when arrears will be paid. However, Governor Eno announced a goodwill gesture of a 13th-month salary payment for December.
Highlighting efforts to enhance workers’ welfare, the governor revealed that ₦35 billion had been paid in gratuities to retirees, local government employees, and primary school teachers since his administration began. The ₦80,000 minimum wage aligns with the expiration of the ₦30,000 structure in April and the subsequent signing of a new minimum wage bill by President Bola Tinubu in July. While civil servants nationwide were expected to receive the revised wage from May, implementation timelines have varied across states.
