Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has solidified his reputation as a champion of workers’ welfare with the announcement of an unprecedented 86% salary increment for state workers. Effective January 2025, the new wage structure will raise the state’s monthly wage bill to ₦11.9 billion.
The announcement was made by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade, in a statement on Thursday following a meeting with the Oyo State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Kayode Martins.
According to Oyelade, the implementation of a ₦80,000 minimum wage, up from the previous ₦30,000, underscores Oyo State’s leadership in prioritizing workers’ welfare. “This bold step positions Oyo as a leader in workers’ welfare in Nigeria,” he said.
Oyelade also emphasized Governor Makinde’s balanced approach to governance, ensuring that workers’ needs are met alongside critical economic and public service demands.
Labour Applauds Historic Increment
Comrade Kayode Martins, the state NLC Chairman, commended Governor Makinde for his proactive measures, describing him as a “Workers’ Governor.” He highlighted the comparative advantage of Oyo’s new wage structure, which surpasses the federal government’s ₦70,000 minimum wage and those of other states.
“Oyo was the first state to implement the old ₦30,000 minimum wage and had already begun negotiations for a new wage structure even before the Federal Government approved ₦70,000,” Martins noted.
The new salary framework includes a significant boost for workers at all levels. Workers on Grade Levels 1 to 6 will see an increase from ₦30,000 to ₦80,000, while those on Grade Level 7 and above will earn between ₦70,000 and ₦180,000, depending on their grade level. For instance, a worker on Grade Level 17 currently earning ₦170,000 will now receive ₦360,000.
“No other state in Nigeria has implemented such a robust pay structure,” Martins added.
A Commitment to Workers’ Welfare
Prince Oyelade lauded Governor Makinde’s proactive approach to addressing long-standing issues affecting civil servants. He cited the governor’s resolution of a four-year promotion backlog at the start of his tenure in 2019 and his consistent payment of salaries by the 25th of every month, which has significantly boosted morale and the state’s economy.
The Commissioner disclosed that the new wage structure will elevate Oyo State’s annual wage bill to ₦143 billion, marking an unparalleled commitment to workers’ welfare in Nigeria.
Comrade Martins further praised the harmonious relationship between the state government and labour unions, noting that Oyo workers were exempted from the nationwide strike by labour unions on December 2, 2024, due to the state’s exceptional worker-friendly policies.
With this milestone, Governor Makinde’s administration continues to set a benchmark for prioritizing workers’ welfare while maintaining fiscal responsibility.
