Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has revealed that his monthly salary stands at ₦503,000, which is lower than the ₦900,000 earned by Permanent Secretaries in the state and the ₦1 million received by the Head of Service.
The disclosure was made on Thursday during the inauguration of 12 four-bedroom terraced duplexes for Permanent Secretaries and the presentation of 12 official vehicles to newly appointed Permanent Secretaries in Asaba, the state capital.
Governor Oborevwori explained that the state government increased the salaries of Permanent Secretaries after they raised concerns that some directors were earning almost the same amount as them.
“When the Permanent Secretaries said most of the Directors are receiving almost the same thing with them, we increased their money. Today, Permanent Secretaries… Your salary is 900, my salary is 503,000, Governor’s salary. Head of Service is one million. It’s clear. So, you know some of them don’t want their husbands to know how much they are receiving,” the governor stated.
He emphasised that his administration has prioritised the welfare of civil servants since assuming office. Official vehicles had previously been provided to serving Permanent Secretaries to enhance their mobility and operational efficiency, with additional vehicles handed over at the event.
Oborevwori further noted that Delta was among the first states to fully implement the national minimum wage. He also highlighted other welfare initiatives, including vehicle loans benefiting 302 public officers, housing loans for 119 officers, provision of farm inputs to support food security and additional income for interested civil servants, and training programmes for senior management staff.
The governor announced that the state has approved payment of a 13th-month salary to civil servants beginning from December, with an executive bill being prepared for the Delta State House of Assembly to give the policy legal backing. He stressed that the appointments of the new Permanent Secretaries were based on merit, ensuring representation from every local government area.
Oborevwori urged civil servants and political appointees to reject absenteeism, nepotism, waste, inefficiency, bribery and corruption, while reaffirming his administration’s commitment to continued investment in infrastructure and improved service delivery.