Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has approved a ₦85,000 minimum wage for civil servants, effective from November 2024. The new wage surpasses the national rate, reflecting the governor’s commitment to worker welfare. A technical committee will address arrears payments, placing Rivers among the most labor-friendly states in Nigeria.
Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has approved a significant increase in the minimum wage for civil servants, raising it to ₦85,000. This new wage, aimed at addressing the rising cost of living and economic challenges in Nigeria, was announced after a closed-door meeting with labor representatives from the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council at the Government House in Port Harcourt.
Dr. George Nwaeke, Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, confirmed that the wage increase will take effect in November 2024, making Rivers one of the few states in Nigeria to implement such a substantial raise. The new amount surpasses the national minimum wage of ₦30,000, positioning Rivers alongside Lagos as a leader in worker welfare.
In response to concerns over unpaid arrears, a technical committee has been established to develop a payment plan. Labor leaders, including Comrade Emecheta Chuku of the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council and Rivers State Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Chairman Comrade Alex Agwanwor, praised the governor for his commitment to workers’ well-being, despite the state’s economic challenges. Agwanwor emphasized that Rivers State is now at the forefront of labor-friendly policies in Nigeria.
This development has been welcomed by civil servants and labor unions as a major victory in securing better living standards for workers in Rivers State. The new wage policy is seen as a testament to Governor Fubara’s dedication to improving the livelihood of public sector employees, even amid economic pressures.
