Oyo Governor Approves 86% Salary Increase for Civil Servants from Januar
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has approved a landmark 86% salary increase for civil servants, set to take effect from January 1, 2025. This development aligns with the implementation of a new minimum wage of ₦80,000 in the state.
In a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade, the monthly wage bill of the state will rise from ₦6.4 billion to ₦11.9 billion. “This reflects the governor’s commitment to the welfare of workers while balancing the needs of critical sectors and the general population,” Oyelade said.
The commissioner disclosed the figures while receiving the Chairman of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Kayode Martins, in his office on Tuesday. He added that this increment translates to an annual salary expenditure of over ₦143 billion.
“Governor Makinde is determined to cater for the welfare of workers beyond expectations,” Oyelade remarked. He noted that Makinde had earlier preempted promotion-related crises by approving a four-year promotion backlog for workers when he assumed office in 2019.
Labour Leaders React
In response, NLC Chairman Comrade Kayode Martins lauded Governor Makinde for being “a workers’ governor,” noting that Oyo’s implementation of the new ₦80,000 minimum wage is more favourable than similar efforts by other states or even the federal government.
“No state in Nigeria has matched this level of commitment to its workforce,” Martins said. He explained that workers on Grade Levels 1 to 6 will see their salaries rise from ₦30,000 to ₦80,000, a ₦50,000 increase. Workers on Grade Levels 7 and above will enjoy increments of ₦70,000 to over ₦180,000, depending on their grade.
“For instance, a worker on Grade Level 17 who previously earned ₦170,000 will now earn ₦360,000 monthly,” Martins elaborated. He also praised the governor for consistently paying salaries promptly on the 25th of each month, a policy that has significantly boosted workers’ morale and the state’s economy.
Broader Perspectives
Reacting to the announcement, Dr. Funmi Adeniran, a public finance expert, commended the Makinde administration’s bold move, saying, “This is a historic decision that sets Oyo apart as a model for prioritizing workers’ welfare while maintaining fiscal discipline.”
Similarly, a Lagos-based labour economist, Mr. Adebayo Oladipo, noted that “Oyo’s approach shows that even in challenging economic times, strategic leadership can achieve a balance between labour satisfaction and governance priorities.”
Martins further pointed out that Oyo’s strong labour relationship with the government was evident during the recent national industrial action on December 2, where Oyo State was exempted due to its amicable rapport with workers.
The chairman concluded that Oyo had been a trailblazer, being the first state to implement the ₦30,000 minimum wage and initiating negotiations for the new minimum wage even before the federal government approved ₦70,000. GMTNewsng
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