Fubara approves N85k minimum wage for Rivers civil servants

Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has approved a new minimum wage of N85,000 for civil servants in the state.

The announcement was made on Friday during a meeting with representatives of organized labor at the government house in Port Harcourt.

Speaking after the meeting, George Nwaeke, the head of the Rivers State civil service, confirmed that the new minimum wage, which exceeds the national standard, would take effect in November.

“The governor has approved an amount that goes beyond the national minimum wage, setting it at N85,000,” Nwaeke said, expressing satisfaction with the development, which he described as unprecedented for Rivers civil servants.

Labor union representatives also reacted positively to the news. Emecheta Chuku, chairman of the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council, praised the governor’s decision amid ongoing challenges.

“Despite the crises, the governor has committed to paying N85,000 as the minimum wage, which is a significant relief for workers,” he said, commending Fubara’s understanding of what constitutes a living wage.

Similarly, Alex Agwanwor, chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Rivers, pledged the union’s support for the governor, stating, “We are ready to stand by him for the next eight years.”

The approval follows a recent announcement by Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who also set the minimum wage at N85,000 for civil servants. This move comes in the wake of President Bola Tinubu’s July legislation, which raised the national minimum wage from N30,000 to N70,000.