Dr. Ijeomah Arodiogbu
The National Vice Chairman (South East) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Ijeomah Arodiogbu, MBBS, Phd, has declared that no state government in Nigeria is currently owing workers’ salaries, attributing this positive development squarely to the bold and far-reaching economic reforms of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Dr. Arodiogbu, a medical doctor and public health expert who also serves as Board Chairman of the David Umahi Federal University Teaching Hospital in Ebonyi State, made the assertion while assessing the impact of the Federal Government’s economic reforms on the finances of the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, stressing that the country’s fiscal situation before President Tinubu assumed office was characterised by severe revenue constraints, high debt-service pressures and inadequate resources for many tiers of government.
“Before President Tinubu came into office, we had a situation where many states were struggling with salary arrears, pension obligations and other recurrent expenditures and often resorted to borrowing or issuing bonds simply to meet payroll. The Federal Government was equally under tremendous fiscal pressure,”
“The old system was not sustainable, Government was spending enormous resources to subsidise petrol while states and local governments were receiving insufficient resources to meet their obligations. The consequence was salary arrears, accumulated debts and declining capacity to fund development.” Dr. Arodiogbu stated.
The APC National Vice Chairman emphasised that President Tinubu’s decision to remove the petrol subsidy and undertake major reforms in the foreign-exchange and fiscal environment was aimed at correcting structural weaknesses that had persisted for years.
“Today, that ugly narrative has changed. No state is owing salary. This is a direct result of President Tinubu’s reforms, which have injected more resources into the system and given governors the fiscal space to prioritise the welfare of public servants,”
“The result is that more resources are now flowing to the Federal Government, states and local governments. That is why we are seeing a different fiscal reality across the country,” Arodiogbu stated.
The APC chieftain cited examples from the South-East, particularly the upward review of minimum wages in Imo and Ebonyi States beyond the national N70,000 benchmark. Imo State under Governor Hope Uzodimma raised its minimum wage to N104,000, while Ebonyi moved to N90,000.
Dr. Arodiogbu further observed that the improved revenue position has enabled progressive states to implement upward salary reviews, clear outstanding gratuities and pension arrears, and invest in infrastructure and social programmes.
“We have moved from a situation where governments were constantly battling to survive to a situation where states have greater resources and greater responsibility.
“President Tinubu has changed the fiscal architecture. The challenge now is for every level of government to convert increased revenue into tangible improvements in the lives of Nigerians.”
He called on Nigerians at large and South Easterners in particular to remain resolute and supportive of the adminstration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, he expressed confidence that Ndigbo in South East and across Nigeria will vote overwheminly for President Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.
