In 2025, Enugu State emerged as one of Nigeria’s leading states in implementing progressive wage reforms for civil servants. Following the federal government’s announcement of an upward review of the national minimum wage, Enugu State, under the leadership of Governor Peter Mbah, took bold and deliberate steps to address long-standing challenges in the public sector. This included not only revising the minimum wage to ₦80,000 monthly—well above the national threshold—but also introducing initiatives focused on workers’ welfare, arrears payment, promotion, and enhanced allowances.
This blog post explores the complete details surrounding the new wage structure, additional benefits, and implications for the Enugu State civil service workforce in 2025.
Setting the Context: National Minimum Wage Reform
The journey to wage reform in Enugu State cannot be understood without contextualizing it within the broader national framework. In July 2024, the Nigerian federal government approved a new national minimum wage of ₦70,000 per month, responding to economic inflation, increased cost of living, and the devaluation of the naira.
The previous minimum wage of ₦30,000, set in 2019, had become insufficient for meeting basic living standards. The wage increase was necessary, but its implementation was left to individual states based on their financial capability.
Enugu State took the initiative seriously. Rather than merely adopting the ₦70,000 benchmark, the state government went a step further by increasing the minimum wage to ₦80,000, starting in October 2024. This move was widely applauded by stakeholders and has had a significant impact on worker morale and productivity.
Governor Peter Mbah’s Reforms: Raising the Standard
Governor Peter Mbah, a visionary and pro-worker leader, made the decision to raise the minimum wage to ₦80,000 in consultation with key stakeholders, including organized labour unions, financial planners, and civil service administrators. The rationale was twofold:
-
To improve living conditions for state employees, especially junior staff who are most affected by inflation and unstable fuel prices.
-
To stimulate the local economy through increased purchasing power, as better-paid workers would spend more within the state, thereby boosting internal revenue.
In addition to the wage increment, the government also ensured that salary arrears from previous administrations were cleared. By March 2025, the state had successfully paid off five months’ worth of outstanding salaries, with plans to clear the remaining arrears in phases by the end of the year.
The New Salary Structure in Detail
Enugu State civil service jobs are categorized into Grade Levels (GL) 01 to GL 17. With the implementation of the new wage policy, the salary structure across the grades is now as follows:
-
Grade Level 01: ₦80,000
-
Grade Level 02 to 06: ₦90,000 – ₦120,000
-
Grade Level 07 to 09: ₦130,000 – ₦160,000
-
Grade Level 10 to 14: ₦170,000 – ₦210,000
-
Grade Level 15 to 17: ₦220,000 – ₦250,000
This structure reflects a proportional increase across all levels, ensuring that middle and senior-level staff also enjoy a fair raise. The increments were structured to close the disparity between entry-level staff and top-level executives while still maintaining the hierarchy in compensation.
Allowances and Additional Benefits
Beyond monthly salaries, Enugu State civil servants are entitled to a variety of allowances that enhance their total compensation packages. These allowances include:
-
Housing Allowance: Helps to subsidize rent or mortgage payments.
-
Transport Allowance: Supports daily commuting and logistics.
-
Medical Allowance: Covers part of the healthcare costs for workers and their families.
-
Leave Allowance: Paid annually when a worker embarks on leave.
-
Hazard Allowance: For civil servants working in high-risk departments such as health, fire service, and security.
-
Responsibility Allowance: Given to senior staff and those managing departments.
-
Uniform Allowance: For workers in roles that require special uniforms.
-
Duty Tour Allowance (DTA): Increased significantly in 2025 to accommodate official travel and field assignments.
These allowances are calculated based on grade level and job function. The cumulative effect is that a civil servant on Grade Level 08, for example, might earn over ₦180,000 monthly when allowances are included.
Pensions and Retirement Plans
The Enugu State Government continues to operate a contributory pension scheme, wherein both employees and the state contribute to a pension fund throughout the employee’s career. This pension fund ensures that retired workers receive monthly stipends post-retirement.
As part of the 2025 reform agenda, the state government began auditing the pension system to resolve discrepancies and ensure transparency. The administration also initiated a phased clearance of pension arrears for retirees, many of whom had not been paid for several years before the current administration took office.
Promotion and Conversion Exercise
Promotion remains one of the most effective tools for employee motivation and career development. In March 2025, Governor Mbah approved the promotion and conversion of 2,061 civil servants across various ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs). This exercise followed thorough performance assessments, written examinations, and interviews conducted in 2024.
The promotions and conversions reflect the government’s commitment to recognizing hard work, encouraging skill acquisition, and ensuring that civil servants are placed in roles that match their qualifications and capabilities.
Industrial Harmony and Labour Relations
One of the hallmarks of Governor Mbah’s administration is industrial peace. Labour unions, including the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC), have expressed satisfaction with the ongoing reforms.
By engaging labour in all decision-making processes and ensuring that promises are fulfilled, the government has created a stable environment that fosters productivity and collaboration.
Impact on the Economy
The wage increase and worker-friendly policies are expected to have a ripple effect on Enugu State’s economy. With more disposable income, civil servants can invest in housing, education, and entrepreneurship, thereby stimulating economic activities across the state.
Additionally, the increased salary base has attracted talent from neighbouring states, as professionals seek more favourable employment conditions within Enugu.
Final Thoughts
Enugu State’s new minimum wage of ₦80,000 in 2025 is more than a policy—it is a bold statement about prioritizing human capital and fostering a robust public sector. Governor Mbah’s administration has shown that with fiscal discipline, transparent governance, and stakeholder collaboration, Nigerian states can significantly improve the welfare of civil servants.
The reforms go beyond salary adjustments; they reflect a broader agenda of infrastructural development, service delivery improvement, and economic revitalization. Enugu’s civil servants can now look to the future with greater hope, stability, and dignity.
