Gov Eno Pays N100bn Gratuity Arrears, Implements N80,000 Minimum Wage — A’Ibom Govt

The Akwa Ibom State Government has said Governor Umo Eno has paid over N100 billion out of the N111 billion gratuity backlog inherited by his administration, as part of sweeping reforms in workers’ welfare, labour relations and public enlightenment.

The government also listed the implementation of the N80,000 national minimum wage from November 1, 2024, payment of the 13th-month salary popularly known as Enomber, settlement of outstanding 7.5% pension deductions, and improved pension for retirees as key achievements.

This was disclosed at the 9th edition of the Ministerial Briefing Series held at the Akpan Isemin Hall, Government House, Uyo, on Tuesday, October 13, 2026.

The briefing, which focused on manpower development and inclusivity, had the Commissioner for Labour and Manpower Planning, Elder Ikodem Ekong, and the Special Adviser on Political and Social Reorientation, Barrister Kufre Udosen, as lead presenters.

Opening the session, the Commissioner for Information, Dr. Aniekan Umanah, said the briefing reflects Governor Umo Eno’s commitment to transparency and accountability.

Read Also: A’Ibom: Pensioners Seeks Audience With Gov. Eno On LG Autonomy, Demands Pension Bureau

Presenting his ministry’s scorecard, Elder Ekong said the ministry has sustained industrial peace through dialogue and mediation, intervening in disputes involving ASUU, JUSUN, NUAEE, PASAN, NUT and NURTW, among others.

On workers’ welfare, he said N150 million was paid as gratuities and entitlements to former workers of defunct Akwa Palm Limited, shut for over seven years.

He also added that N180 million covering six months of salary arrears was paid to workers of St Gabriel Coconut Company in Mkpat Enin, Ini, Oruk Anam and Eket, with two additional months approved by the Governor.

According to him, the administration has implemented a health insurance scheme for public servants, a wardrobe allowance for teachers, training and retraining of civil servants, and the provision of modern working tools.

Elder Ekong added that the pension for those who retired between 2007 and 2011 was increased from N15,000 to N20,000, while other categories who retired before November 2024 now earn up to N27,000.

Also, brand-new SUVs were donated to permanent secretaries, and 26 leave grants were approved for civil servants.

He said airport workers were integrated into the state civil service under the new Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development without salary cuts, and that promotion processes have commenced ahead of year-end.

Ekong reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to effective service delivery.

Speaking on tertiary institutions, Special Adviser to the Governor Sir Udo Kerian said the Governor approved salary increases beyond federal interventions.

He explained that at Akwa Ibom State University, professors are 30%, other academic staff 25%, and non-academic staff 20%; at the College of Education, Afaha Nsit (now University of Education), lecturers are 25%, and non-academic staff 20%; and at the State Polytechnic, chief lecturers are 25%, and other staff 30%, with similar improvements at the School of Technology.

He added that remuneration in the Local Government Service has also been reviewed.

On public enlightenment, Barrister Kufre Udosen said the Bureau of Political and Social Re-orientation is driving grassroots understanding of government policies, encouraging citizens to visit project sites and access opportunities like the agricultural equipment leasing programme.

He said the bureau has covered all 31 LGAs, gathering feedback for government action.

Political Adviser to the Governor, Prince Godwin Ntuk Udeh, said his office, in collaboration with the Bureau, has taken political and social reorientation campaigns to 22 LGAs to sensitise residents and strengthen government-citizen engagement.

Responding to questions on Sterling Global’s operations in 17 LGAs, Dr Umanah and Sir Kerian disclosed that Governor Eno has set up a joint stakeholder committee to address community concerns, describing its maiden meeting as productive.

In his remarks, the Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Akwa Ibom State Council, Comrade Nsibiet John, urged the government to protect employment slots for indigenes in the oil and gas sector, calling for legislation to criminalise the sale of job slots to non-indigenes and stronger action against oil servicing companies degrading host communities without MoUs.

The briefing highlighted the administration’s focus on workers’ welfare, industrial harmony, salary reforms and citizen engagement as pillars of the ARISE Agenda.