Akwa Ibom Governor Directs Immediate Implementation of ₦80,000 Minimum Wage
Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State has ordered the immediate implementation of the new ₦80,000 minimum wage for 45,984 verified public servants in the state. The directive, which was given on Wednesday, instructs the Office of the Accountant General to begin payment, including arrears from November 2024.
However, Governor Eno clarified that 2,943 personnel who failed to participate in the verification exercise and 6,193 individuals with unresolved verification issues would not receive the new wage.
This announcement followed the submission of a report by the Committee on the Implementation of the New Minimum Wage and Personnel Verification, chaired by the Head of Service, Effiong Essien. The report detailed the findings of the verification exercise, which aimed to ensure transparency in wage payments.
Governor’s Assurance and Grace Period for Verification
Governor Eno reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to workers’ welfare, emphasizing that the new wage structure is intended to ease economic hardships.
“As I receive this report today, my understanding is that before now, we had a staff strength of 55,120. Out of that, 52,177 persons participated in the verification exercise. That leaves 2,943 personnel unverified, while 6,193 individuals have issues with their verification,” the governor stated.
“For those who have been cleared—about 45,984 of them—the minimum wage will be paid at the end of this month, effective from November 1, 2024.”
Recognizing the importance of fairness, Eno announced a 30-day grace period for individuals who missed the verification process, after which their salaries would be discontinued if they fail to comply.
“For those yet to be verified, we will extend the verification period by another 30 days. After that, the exercise will be closed. If they still fail to appear, we will assume they are not civil servants, and their salaries will be stopped,” he warned.
Commitment to Labour Relations and Future Verification Plans
The governor underscored his administration’s strong relationship with organized labour in the state, citing previous efforts to improve workers’ welfare.
“We have fostered positive government-labour relations. Since we assumed office, we have paid over ₦47 billion in gratuities from the ₦97 billion backlog inherited since 2012. We have also provided numerous palliatives for workers and the people of Akwa Ibom State.”
Regarding recommendations from the committee, Eno approved an annual verification exercise to prevent payroll fraud and ensure transparency.
“I have received your recommendation that this exercise should be conducted annually, and I believe it is necessary. We will extend this verification to pension payments as well. If discrepancies exist among active personnel, then similar irregularities could be happening in pension payments. We need to ensure accuracy in both areas,” he said.
To oversee these processes, the governor extended the tenure of the verification committee for an additional month.
Composition of the Committee
The verification and implementation committee, established in December 2024, is chaired by the Head of Service, Effiong Essien. It includes key government officials and labour representatives, such as:
• Chairman of the Civil Service Commission
• Chairman of the Local Government Service Commission
• Permanent Secretaries from the Ministry of Finance and Department of Establishments, Labour, and Manpower Planning
• Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice
• Accountant General and Director of Budget
• State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC)
• President of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE)
With this directive, Governor Eno reaffirms his commitment to improving the welfare of civil servants while ensuring accountability in the state’s payroll system.
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