Governor Usman Ododo of Kogi State has approved a new minimum wage of ₦72,500 for civil servants in the state, alongside a one-year suspension of the Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) tax.
This announcement, made on Monday during the unveiling of the new wage package, means there will be no deductions from civil servants’ salaries for the next year.
The governor explained that the wage increase is aimed at helping workers cope with the current economic challenges in Nigeria.
Governor Ododo emphasized his commitment to fairness, stating that his humble background motivates him to use his position to uplift the people rather than oppress them.
He assured civil servants that he will ensure that the state’s resources are allocated fairly across all sectors.
Ododo urged workers to continue supporting his administration and promised prompt payment of salaries.
He praised the collaboration between labor leaders and the government in conducting staff audits and screenings to ensure that only legitimate workers receive the benefits, thus eliminating ghost workers.
The Chairman of the State Minimum Wage Committee and Head of Service, Elijah Evenem, hailed the agreement as a victory not for any political party but for the well-being of the state’s workers and masses.
He commended the governor for giving the committee full autonomy to reach this significant outcome.