Benue’s New Minimum: Alia says No Worker earns Below N75,000

In a bold declaration aimed at redefining civil service standards in Benue State, Governor Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia has announced that no state employee currently earns less than N75,000 as monthly salary.

Speaking during his first official media chat on Thursday, the governor offered insights into his administration’s performance so far, with a strong focus on workers’ welfare and economic stability.

Alia emphasized that boosting the livelihood of civil servants has remained a key focus of his leadership, adding that the salary review was not just a promise but a fully executed policy.

“The minimum any worker earns in Benue today is N75,000 monthly. We didn’t just talk about salary increments—we implemented it,” he said, highlighting a clear shift from previous salary struggles faced by the workforce.

The governor noted that the decision to set the bar above the previous national minimum wage was fueled by a desire to uplift morale and restore pride among government workers, many of whom had endured years of unpaid wages and erratic payment schedules.

Beyond salary matters, Alia touched on broader developmental strides, stating that his administration continues to deliver on capital projects while increasing workers’ share in the monthly budget.

“We moved salaries from 70% to 75% in terms of monthly budget allocation, and we’re still delivering on multiple capital projects,” he added, underscoring the balancing act between infrastructure growth and human capital investment.