KEY POINTS
- Gov. Makinde approved ₦80,000 minimum wage for state workers.
- New wage structure awaits committee’s adjustment completion.
- Makinde prioritizes timely salary payments and pensioner support.
Oyo State Gov. Seyi Makinde on Wednesday approved a new minimum wage of ₦80,000 for state employees, marking a substantial increase intended to improve the welfare of workers across Oyo State.
Oyo State increases minimum wage to ₦80,000
Punch state, the announcement was made by Dotun Oyelade, the state’s commissioner for information and orientation, in a statement from Ibadan, the state capital. According to Oyelade, the decision followed the recommendations of a Technical Committee set up by the state government to evaluate wage levels. The committee, comprised of both government and labor representatives, obtained Makinde’s approval for the new salary structure.
“This new wage scale will be implemented once the committee completes its work on consequential adjustments,” Oyelade said. “Both government and labor leaders have worked together to ensure that these adjustments reflect fair compensation for all employees.”
Oyelade also highlighted recent national statistics that underscore Oyo State’s commitment to worker welfare. He referenced the National Bureau of Statistics’ latest report, which rated Oyo as the most worker-friendly state in Southern Nigeria. The report credited the state’s low unemployment rate, achieved through a robust hiring initiative across various sectors, as a primary factor.
Pension payments addressed alongside annual holiday bonuses
According to punch, since taking office in 2019, Makinde has prioritized regular salary payments, ensuring that state employees receive their wages on the 25th of each month. Oyelade noted that the administration has also addressed long standing grievances related to pensions and gratuities. The government has cleared a backlog of gratuities from 2008 to 2015, benefiting numerous pensioners. Furthermore, Makinde has increased gratuity payments for retirees under both the Local Government Staff Pensions Board and the Ministry of Establishment and Training.
In addition, the governor reinstated pensioners previously removed from the payroll by past administrations and introduced an annual Christmas and New Year’s “chicken bonus” for all pensioners—a gesture aimed at supporting retirees during the holiday season.
This latest wage increase underscores Makinde’s commitment to enhancing worker welfare and economic stability in Oyo State.
