Nigerian gov reveals his salary, says Permanent Secretaries earn more than him

Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, has disclosed that he earns a monthly salary of N503,000, revealing that Permanent Secretaries in the state civil service receive significantly higher pay.

Oborevwori made the disclosure on Thursday in Asaba, while inaugurating 12 four-bedroom terraced duplexes built for Permanent Secretaries and handing over 12 official vehicles to newly appointed Permanent Secretaries.

Speaking at the event, the governor explained that the state government increased the remuneration of Permanent Secretaries after some of them complained that directors in the civil service were earning almost as much as they were.

“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,” he said.

The governor said his administration had continued to prioritise the welfare of civil servants, adding that the provision of official vehicles was aimed at improving the efficiency of Permanent Secretaries in the discharge of their duties.

“To enhance their mobility and operational efficiency, we provided official vehicles to serving Permanent Secretaries. And today, it is my pleasure to present another 12 vehicles to the Permanent Secretaries that were recently sworn in,” he said.

According to him, 302 public officers had benefited from the state’s Public Officers’ Vehicle Loan Scheme, while another 119 beneficiaries had accessed the Public Officers’ Housing Loan Scheme.

Oborevwori also disclosed that civil servants interested in agriculture had been provided with farm inputs to enable them to generate additional income while contributing to food production in the state.

He added that 450 senior management officers had been supported to participate in a seven-weekend training programme organised in partnership with the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria.

The governor noted that the appointment of 12 Permanent Secretaries in May had ensured that all 25 local government areas in Delta State were represented at the Permanent Secretary level in the state civil service.

He said the appointments were based strictly on merit and were not influenced by political recommendations.

“The process was properly done. Not by saying, even the one that was appointed in my place, I don’t even know the person. All the Permanent Secretaries appointed, no one was recommended by anybody, but by merit,” he said.

Oborevwori further said Delta was among the states that implemented the new national minimum wage, noting that the decision followed consultations with relevant stakeholders, including the Head of Service, Commissioner for Information and the Nigeria Labour Congress.

The governor also reiterated his administration’s decision to introduce a 13th-month salary for state civil servants from December this year.

“Not to forget that recently we approved the payment of 13th month salary for civil servants, beginning from December this year.

“It might interest you to know that we are in the process of sending an executive bill to the Delta State House of Assembly to give this gesture legal backing.

“So, it is something that is compulsory. By the time it has legal backing, even when I leave office in 2031, they will still be paying you your 13th month salary,” he added.

He urged civil servants and political appointees to uphold discipline and professionalism, particularly by avoiding absenteeism, nepotism, waste, inefficiency, bribery and corruption.

Oborevwori assured that his administration would sustain investments in infrastructure and other initiatives designed to improve resource management, efficiency and public service delivery.

He also charged the beneficiaries of the newly inaugurated residential facilities and other occupants of the quarters to protect and maintain the buildings, while ensuring that the environment remained secure and clean.