The approval was contained in a letter signed by the Secretary to the Enugu State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, dated August 11, 2026, and addressed to the Accountant General of the state for immediate implementation.
According to the letter, the approval followed a report presented by the committee tasked with reviewing the minimum wage structure for workers of the state university located at Agbani, Ebeano City.
The state government stated that the upward review from N32,000 to N82,000 represents a significant improvement in the welfare of staff of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology, who have been earning below the new national threshold.
The Enugu State University of Science and Technology is one of the state-owned tertiary institutions that has been seeking improved conditions of service for its academic and non-academic staff in recent years.
Governor Peter Mbah had earlier approved a new minimum wage of N80,000 for Enugu workers with immediate effect in October 2024, following the presentation of the report from the committee tasked with reviewing the state's minimum wage at the Government House, Enugu.
The latest approval for ESUT staff brings the university's minimum wage slightly above the general state minimum wage, reflecting the government's commitment to addressing peculiar challenges in the education sector.
DailyVista247 gathered that the management of the university has welcomed the development and described it as a boost to staff morale and productivity in the institution, which has continued to expand its academic programmes.
The government noted that the increase will take effect from September 1, 2026, and will be reflected in the September salary of all eligible staff of the university across various departments and faculties.
Workers of the institution, including academic and non-academic staff, are expected to benefit from the new wage structure, which is aimed at improving their purchasing power amid current economic realities.
The Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Onyia, directed the Accountant General to ensure prompt implementation of the new minimum wage for ESUT workers as contained in the approval letter dated August 11.
The development comes as several state governments across the country have continued to review and increase minimum wages for their workers in line with economic adjustments and demands from labour unions.
Enugu State has been among the states that approved higher minimum wages for its workforce, with the governor announcing N80,000 for general workers last year, a move that was commended by labour groups in the state.
The Enugu State Government restated its commitment to improving workers' welfare and ensuring that staff of state-owned institutions receive fair remuneration for their services to the state.
The approval for ESUT staff is expected to enhance the university's ability to retain qualified personnel and attract new talents to support its academic mission in science and technology education.
