Speaking on The Morning Brief on Channels Television on Thursday, the Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser to Governor Hope Uzodimma, Mr Oguwike Nwachuku, addressed public reactions, which have ranged from enthusiastic approval to cautious scepticism.
According to Nwachuku, the wage increase is grounded in the state’s significantly improved financial position, thanks to reforms in revenue generation and governance.
“When this government came on board, the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) was less than ₦400 million. Today, we’re seeing figures between ₦3 billion and ₦4 billion,” he explained.
“This growth didn’t happen by chance. It’s the outcome of intentional reforms—blocking financial leakages, digitising government processes, and creating an investor-friendly environment,” he added.
Digital Transformation and Infrastructure Drive Growth
Nwachuku highlighted the Uzodimma
administration’s investment in building a digital economy and overhauling the state’s development framework. These steps, he said, have laid the foundation for financial stability and the new wage structure.He also pointed to the construction of 46 roads across the state as evidence of the government’s commitment to infrastructure development and fiscal responsibility.
Not a Political Move, Says Government
With questions surfacing about the political timing of the announcement, the Chief Press Secretary insisted the wage increase is not an election gimmick.
“It is a well-thought-out decision based on data, not politics,” Nwachuku stated. “We took into account the state’s financial capacity and ensured the increase is both meaningful and maintainable.”
Implementation Starts August 2025
Addressing concerns about when civil servants will begin to benefit, Nwachuku confirmed that the new wage structure will take effect from August 2025 salaries. He also noted that consequential adjustments for other cadres in the civil service will follow in the months ahead.
