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N70,000 Minimum Wage States’ Salaries Rise By 90% To N3.8trn

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The amount budgeted for personnel costs, including salaries and allowances to state civil servants, has increased from N2.036trillion spent in 2024 to N3.87trillion in the approved 2025 budget.
Although the 36 sub-national allocated a total sum of N2.8tn as salaries costs, it only paid out a total of N2.036trillion within the 12 months of 2024, a reduction of N764billion, according to its budget implementation report.
According to data obtained from the 2025 approved budget of the 36 state governments, the increase occasioned by the implementation of the newly approved N70,000 minimum wage and spiralling political appointments reflects an increase of nearly 90.23 per cent.
The approved budgets are also contained in Open States, a BudgIT-backed website that serves as a repository of government budget data.
The budget report also indicated that at least 27 states of the federation would not be able to pay workers’ salaries this year without having to wait for federal allocations from the central government.
In July 2024, President Bola Tinubu officially approved a significant increase in the minimum wage for Nigerian workers, raising it from N30,000 to N70,000.
This decision came after several months of rigorous discussions and negotiations between the government and labour unions.
However, the implementation of this wage increase has been gradual across the country, with some states still yet to adopt the new minimum wage.
In response to this delay, the Nigerian Labour Congress issued a stern ultimatum to state governments, demanding that they fully implement the new wage structure by December 1, 2024.
Despite this pressure, several states have yet to initiate the payment of the revised minimum wage, further prolonging the financial relief workers were expecting.
An in-depth analysis of the budget document revealed significant variations in personnel costs across states: 20 states saw an increase in personnel expenses exceeding 50 per cent, while 16 states experienced a more modest rise, with salary increases remaining below the 50 per cent threshold.
A further breakdown showed that Abia, Cross Rivers, Ekiti, Niger, Rivers, and Taraba states got the highest increase in its payroll, exceeding 100 per cent of its 2024 personnel cost budget. While Gombe, Osun and Ondo got the lowest salary increase percentage, scoring below 15 per cent.
In a detailed examination of the salary increases across each state, Abia approved a notable increase in its personnel costs, with an escalation from N33.045billion to N77.34billion, representing a 134 per cent increase. Similarly, Adamawa’s personnel cost rose from N48.61billion to N74.23billion, marking a 52.7 per cent increase.
In Akwa Ibom, a sharp surge from N91.74bn to N126.69bn was approved, representing an impressive 38.1 per cent growth.
Anambra state, under Governor Charles Soludo, also approved a significant rise from N34.001bn to N63.41bn, indicating an 86.45 per cent increase.
Bauchi followed suit with an increase from N42.29bn to N70.41bn, showcasing an uplift of approximately 66.5 per cent.
Meanwhile, Bayelsa saw its personnel costs climb from N60.18bn to N114.21bn, a rise of over 89 per cent, signalling an emphasis on investing in its workforce.
In Cross River, the personnel cost grew sharply from N35.02bn to N106.12bn, reflecting a 202 per cent increase, one of the highest among the states. Delta also recorded a notable surge in its expenditure from N139.999bn to N185bn, signalling a growth of about 32.5 per cent.
Ebonyi followed with an increase from N23.076bn to N36.66bn, growing by 58.9 per cent.
Edo with its leap from N74.58bn to N101.29bn, reflected a 35.8 per cent increase, while Ekiti registered a substantial rise from N30.69bn to N62.51bn, almost doubling its personnel cost.
Enugu also saw a substantial rise from N47.988bn to N70.954bn, an increase of 48 per cent.
However, Gombe stood out with a negligible decrease in personnel costs, falling from N40.52bn to N40.28bn, a small dip of just 0.6 per cent.
On the other hand, Imo saw an increase from N41.92bn to N67.4bn, showing an upward trend of 60.9 per cent.
Jigawa experienced a jump from N51.445bn to N90.73bn, an increase of 76.4 per cent, while Kaduna’s personnel costs grew by 23.4 per cent from N68.010bn to N83.94bn.
Kano, one of the largest increases in this analysis, saw its personnel costs skyrocket from N89.97bn to a staggering N150.996bn, an impressive 67.8 per cent rise.
Katsina, which saw an increase from N29.69bn to N58.62bn, experienced a growth rate of 97.6 per cent. In Kogi, the personnel budget grew from N64.798bn to N109.96bn, an increase of 69.8 per cent.
Kwara followed a similar trend, rising from N51.045bn to N69.152bn, a growth of 35.5 per cent.
The largest increase came from Lagos, which saw its personnel costs more than double, from N225.114bn to N401.12bn.
In Nasarawa, personnel costs increased from N48.704bn to N80.456bn, a 65.2 per cent rise, while Niger recorded an even larger leap, from N25.36bn to N104.301bn, reflecting a growth of 311.5 per cent. Ondo saw an increase from N75.96bn to N139.726bn, an uplift of 83.9 per cent, while Osun also registered a significant rise from N55.571bn to N102.89bn, an 85.1 per cent increase.
Oyo experienced a massive increase, with personnel costs rising from N116.207 bn to N214.116bn, an 84.3 per cent increase.
Similarly, Plateau saw its personnel expenditure climb from N38.963bn to N67.144bn, marking a 72.5 per cent increase.
Rivers State, under Governor Siminalayi Fubara, recorded a staggering rise from N167.05bn to N343.196bn, a 105.6 per cent increase.
Sokoto also saw a substantial increase, from N55.32bn to N64.711bn, a 17 per cent rise.
Taraba experienced a significant increase from N36.319bn to N95.23bn, a 162 per cent rise, while Yobe recorded a 34 per cent increase, growing from N47.95bn to N64.12bn.
Zamfara saw a moderate increase, with personnel costs rising from N34.21bn to N58.38bn, a growth of 70.7 per cent.
Meanwhile, the substantial increase in salaries and allowances across various states has introduced a new set of challenges.
With the sharp rise in personnel costs, at least 27 states of the federation now face the stark reality that they will be unable to meet their payroll obligations without relying heavily on federal allocations from the central government.
This means only 9 out of the 36 state governments of the federation can independently pay their workers’ salaries without depending on federal allocations.
This is an increase from 24 states that couldn’t pay salaries without federal allocation in 2024, according to an analysis of the state governments’ approved budgets for the 2024 fiscal year.
The states with robust internal revenue are Lagos, Abia, Benue, Enugu, Ogun, Niger Kaduna, Kwara, and Osun.
According to the analysis of the budget data, 27 states cannot fund salary payments from their internally generated Revenue and, as such, may have to rely on Federal Government allocations or borrowing from banks and related institutions.
The development also means that the respective wage bills of the affected states surpassed their various IGRs, raising concerns about workers’ productivity and state governments’ efficiency in internal revenue generation.
Speaking with The Tide’s the economist noted that the latest data further stress the need to reduce the cost of governance across the country.
Commenting, the director and CEO of the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise, Muda Yusuf, noted that there are several arguments for the state’s low revenue generation and its bloated civil service workforce.
He said, “The IGR thing, first of all, we need to recognize that there are big disparities in the natural endowment of the states. Not all states are equally endowed. You know, you can’t compare a state that is a coastal state like Lagos or Delta where you have a lot of oil companies, and they pay taxes through P.A.Y.E.
“If you take a state like Jigawa or a state like Gombe or a state like Kogi, most of the businesses there are SMEs. Most of them are agricultural businesses because most of them are farmers. How much IGR can you get from these people? So what you discover invariably is that the IGR that they get in those states are only from the salaries of the workers.

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Rivers DPOs Receive Awards For Outstanding Performance In Crime Prevention …As Students, Media Group Honour CSP Worgu, CSP Yusuf

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Two Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) in Rivers State have been honoured by separate groups for their contributions to security, crime prevention and improved community-police relations in their respective areas of responsibility.

The beneficiaries are the DPO of Afam Police Division, CSP  Endurance Worgu and his counterpart at Oyigbo Police Division, CSP Bello Yusuf.

CSP Worgu was honoured by a group of students under the aegis of Rivers State Graduate Students Associations for what they described as his commitment and outstanding performance in the discharge of his duties.

The students, led by  Chidi John Enyie, Esq. said CSP Worgu was selected based on his track record and status as one of the longest-serving young DPOs of Rivers State origin.

According to the group, CSP Worgu has made significant contributions to the protection of lives and property in the area since assuming office following the #EndSARS period.

The students said they were particularly impressed by the improvement in community-police relations under his leadership, noting that professionalism had remained a key feature of his service.

Enyie represented by Comrade Briggs Soku, said the students community was pleased to identify with a Rivers indigene who had distinguished himself in the police force.

He said the students considered it necessary to encourage and celebrate CSP Worgu because of his achievements as a young Rivers man excelling in a profession that many people from the state were often reluctant to join.

Receiving the award at his office in Afam, CSP Worgu expressed gratitude to God and the students for finding him worthy of the honour.

The DPO said the recognition had boosted his morale and encouraged him to sustain his efforts towards maintaining peace and security in the area.

He said he least expected the honour, particularly because it came from the students, adding that the recognition would further motivate him to serve the people better.

CSP Worgu assured residents of Afam that the police would sustain the existing peace in the area.

He appealed to members of the public to support the police by providing credible and timely information, stressing that useful information from residents would make the job of security personnel easier.

Meanwhile, the Ikwerre/Etche Media Association has also honoured the DPO of Oyigbo Police Division, CSP Bello Yusuf, for his efforts in tackling criminal activities in the area.

The media group presented the award following the swift tracking and arrest of five suspected kidnappers who had allegedly terrorised residents of the Kom-Kom axis and other parts of Oyigbo.

The group commended CSP Bello for what it described as his determined efforts to restore confidence and security in the affected communities, particularly Kom-Kom and Obeama.

According to the group, the arrest of the suspects demonstrated the DPO’s commitment to tackling criminality and safeguarding residents.

The media association said residents had received the development with relief, noting that the police action had sent a strong message to criminal elements operating in the area.

Responding, CSP Yusuf appreciated the group for the recognition and reaffirmed that there would be no room for criminality in Oyigbo.

He also commended the media for its role in disseminating credible information to the public, saying the media had remained supportive of the police in the fight against crime.

CSP Yusuf warned criminal elements operating in Oyigbo to leave the area or be prepared to face the full weight of the law.

He assured residents that the police would continue to pursue criminals and work to dismantle their hideouts, regardless of where they might be operating.

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College Of Bishops Endorses Tinubu, APC Candidates  For 2027 Polls

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The 5000 Achievers Christian Forum and Colleges of Bishops, Archbishops and Apostles, a Christian interdenominational organisation, has endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and all candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State for the 2027 general elections.

International President of the forum, Archbishop Lucky Aroh, disclosed this during the ordination and consecration of three new Bishops, as well as an award ceremony held in Port Harcourt.

Aroh said the performance of the APC-led Federal Government had endeared the party to the organisation, prompting the forum to declare its support for President Tinubu and other APC candidates in Rivers State.

He said the forum would support all APC candidates in the state during the 2027 elections and urged Nigerians to vote for the party.

Aroh, who is also the General Overseer of Caring Peoples Church, Port Harcourt, charged the newly consecrated Bishops to see their new positions as a great responsibility and dedicate themselves to the advancement of the kingdom of God.

He cautioned them against conduct capable of bringing their offices into disrepute, stressing that their activities would be closely watched by members of the public.

“As Bishops, the eyes of the public are on your activities. You must therefore conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of your calling,” he said.

Also speaking, the International Coordinator of the forum, Bishop Saint Robinson, urged the newly consecrated Bishops to work diligently towards winning souls for the kingdom of God.

Robinson, who was the guest speaker at the event, stressed that the activities of Bishops must at all times be guided by godly principles.

He also called on members of the church to support and cooperate with the newly consecrated Bishops in the discharge of their responsibilities.

The Secretary of the College, Apostle Elizabeth Ayadi Abaye, said the organisation was established to advance the kingdom of God and promote spiritual development.

According to her, the forum has organised several crusades, conferences, prayer meetings, ordinations, consecrations, enthronements, empowerment programmes and other spiritual development activities across the country as part of efforts to win souls for Christ.

Abaye said the organisation has members across the world and disclosed that more programmes had been scheduled to promote the spiritual development and wellbeing of humanity.

The three Bishops consecrated at the ceremony were Prince Alban Chike, Testimony Omenihu Shedrach and Prince Ifemena.

Among those honoured at the event were the Chairman of the Community Development Committee (CDC), Abali Community, Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, Manuchimso Prince Lemmy Wopara, and Clifford Oko Jaja, Coordinator of the 5,000 House-to-House for President Tinubu.

By: John Bibor

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Police Arrest Fake Soldier, Others For Armed Robbery, Kidnapping

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The Rivers State Police Command has arrested a 49-year-old suspected fake soldier, Andrew Atausi, and several other suspects in connection with various criminal activities, including kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, one-chance robbery and the alleged murder of police officers.

The State Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, disclosed this in Port Harcourt, recently during a press briefing at the Command Headquarters, where he said the arrests formed part of the operational achievements recorded by the Command between June and August 2026.

Adepoju said Atausi was arrested on August 10 by police operatives along Ada George, Port Harcourt, while dressed in military uniform and driving a Toyota Hilux painted in Army colours.

The Commissioner said investigation revealed that Atausi was not a member of the Armed Forces, adding that he was suspected to be a serial car snatcher, with three suspected stolen vehicles recovered from him.

He said the recovered vehicles included three Toyota Hilux vehicles without registration numbers and a Toyota Corona Premio with registration number BNY 380 ES, noting that the chassis and engine numbers of the vehicles had allegedly been tampered with.

Adepoju added that an axe and military accoutrements were also recovered from Atausi, as investigation continued into the circumstances surrounding the vehicles and other items recovered from him.

On the June 29 attack on police officers at Aluu Division, the Commissioner said three members of the gang allegedly responsible for the incident had been arrested by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit, VCRU-AKU.

The suspects, identified as Maduabuchi Emeka, 34, alleged gang leader; Doctor Chinedu Owhor, 42, and Kamachi Joe, 28, alleged armourer, reportedly led operatives to their hideout at Omagwa where two AK-47 rifles stolen during the attack were recovered.

Adepoju recalled that two police officers were killed during the Aluu attack, while others were wounded and one officer had his leg amputated, stressing that efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fourth suspect.

On kidnapping, the Commissioner said five members of a suspected kidnapping syndicate were arrested in Oyigbo Local Government Area, adding that they allegedly confessed to operations in Kom-Kom, Railway, Obeama and Afam communities.

He said two other suspects from the same network, Anele Ogbogu, 35, alleged to be the gang’s armourer, and Kenneth Eke, 38, were arrested on July 27, with one AK-47 rifle and one SMG rifle recovered.

The Commissioner further disclosed the arrest of suspects in connection with alleged firearm offences, armed robbery, cultism and one-chance robbery, with firearms, ammunition and other exhibits recovered during the operations.

Adepoju assured residents that the Command would sustain intelligence-led, proactive and community-oriented policing in collaboration with other security agencies, while urging members of the public to continue providing credible information that would assist the police in combating crime across Rivers State.

By; King Onunwor

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