PUBLIC SERVICE DELIVERY UNDER THE NEW MINIMUM WAGE REGIME: AN ASSESSMENT OF ENUGU STATE, NIGERIA

This study examines the implications of salary and allowance reforms, particularly the new minimum wage, for public service delivery in Enugu State, Nigeria. The reform of public sector remuneration is a continuous process driven by the need to improve employee welfare, attract and retain qualified personnel, enhance productivity, and strengthen the effectiveness of government institutions. Among these objectives, improving public service delivery remains particularly important because effective service delivery represents a critical component of the social contract between government and citizens. Adequate remuneration can motivate public servants, improve morale, reduce financial pressures, and encourage greater commitment to the efficient performance of official responsibilities. However, wage increases may also have broader implications for public expenditure, institutional efficiency, and the capacity of government to sustain quality services. Against this background, the study assesses how the new minimum wage influences the performance and delivery of public services in Enugu State. It focuses on the relationship between improved remuneration, workers’ motivation, productivity, and the responsiveness and efficiency of government services. The study is expected to contribute to the understanding of how wage policy can be strategically implemented to improve public sector performance while maintaining fiscal sustainability. The paper concludes that effective implementation of the new minimum wage, complemented by appropriate administrative reforms, performance monitoring, and adequate funding, can contribute significantly to improved public service delivery in Enugu State