Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has been conferred with the prestigious Pacesetter Award by Organised Labour, in recognition of his administration’s record-breaking minimum wage implementation and steadfast commitment to worker welfare.
The governor in a statement posted on his X page on Saturday said the award was presented during the 2026 Imo NULGE Week, held at the Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu Square in Owerri.
The ceremony was attended by top labour leaders, with the National President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, represented by the National President of the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Aliyu Kankara.
During the ceremony, labour leaders lauded Uzodimma for moving beyond the national minimum wage requirements.
Since late 2025, the Imo State government has implemented a minimum wage of N104,000, one of the highest in Nigeria—alongside salary boosts for specialised sectors.
The government increased the entry-level salary of medical doctors to N582,000, while entry-level pay for tertiary institution lecturers was set at N222,000.
It also released an unprecedented N16 billion to clear pension gratuities dating back to 2006 and introduced free health insurance for retirees.
“This recognition reflects the collective efforts of my administration in implementing one of the highest minimum wages in the country,” Uzodimma stated upon receiving the honour.
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“It is both a moral obligation and a covenant of trust that we have faithfully upheld.”
Uzodimma attributed the state’s ability to fund these historic increments to the economic reforms of President Bola Tinubu.
He noted that the federal government’s policy direction has empowered subnational governments with greater resources, allowing Imo State to increase its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) from N400 million to over N3 billion monthly.
The governor emphasised that the welfare of workers remains the “engine room” of his government, insisting that well-paid workers drive the local economy, leading to happier families and increased productivity.
While acknowledging the “Pacesetter” title, Uzodimma reaffirmed that his administration would not rest on its laurels.
He promised continued motivation and support for the state workforce, ensuring that the benefits of the state’s progressive growth reach every local government and community.
Labour leaders at the event, including state NLC and TUC chairmen, described the governor’s interventions as a “victory for the entire workforce,” noting that the prompt payment of the 13th-month salary and the financial implementation of long-overdue promotions have restored dignity to the state’s civil service.
