Governor Seyi Makinde has approved a new minimum wage of N80,000 for workers in Oyo State, marking a significant step for the state’s workforce.
The decision, announced by Dotun Oyelade, the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, follows recommendations from a government-formed technical committee to review the wage structure.
According to Oyelade, this new minimum wage will take effect after the committee finalizes the necessary adjustments. The committee, which includes government and labour representatives, is working on the final details to ensure a smooth transition to the updated salary scale.
Oyo State’s commitment to its workers has received national attention. In its latest employment report, the National Bureau of Statistics recognized Oyo as the most worker-friendly state in Southern Nigeria, citing significant job creation efforts and a notable drop in unemployment rates. This recognition highlights Oyo’s dedication to workforce stability and welfare under Governor Makinde’s administration.
Since 2019, Oyo State has maintained a consistent payroll schedule, paying salaries on the 25th of each month. The governor initially implemented the previous N30,000 minimum wage from the start of his tenure, ensuring timely payment of salaries, pensions, gratuities, and even an annual 13th-month salary for employees and retirees.
Further emphasizing his administration’s commitment to welfare, Governor Makinde has provided a monthly welfare bonus, or “wage award,” of N25,000 to active workers and N15,000 to pensioners since November 2023. This measure, introduced to mitigate the impact of the Federal Government’s fuel subsidy removal, has been consistently distributed for over a year.
Additionally, the Makinde administration has made strides in pension reform, clearing a backlog of gratuities from 2008 to 2015 and increasing gratuity payments for retirees in local government and state departments. The governor also reinstated pensioners removed from the payroll under the previous administration and provided an annual holiday bonus of a Christmas/New Year chicken for all retirees.
Governor Makinde’s latest wage policy is expected to further improve the state’s standing as a top employer in Nigeria, strengthening Oyo’s position as a leader in public sector welfare.
