The Oyo State Government has taken a significant step towards enhancing the welfare of its workforce by approving a new minimum wage of ₦80,000 ¹. This development was announced by Prince Dotun Oyelade, the State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, who revealed that the Technical Committee established by the State Government had recommended and secured Governor Seyi Makinde’s approval for the implementation of the revised salary scale ¹ ² ³.
The new wage structure is expected to come into effect once the committee, comprising top government and labor officials, completes the consequential adjustments process ¹. This move is a testament to the state government’s commitment to creating a conducive work environment and recognizing the value of its employees.
Notably, Oyo State has been recognized as the most worker-friendly state in Southern Nigeria, thanks to a remarkable decline in unemployment rates ¹. The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) recently published its 2024 employment statistics, highlighting the state’s impressive track record in job creation ¹.
Under Governor Makinde’s leadership, Oyo State has consistently paid salaries on the 25th of every month since 2019 ¹. The governor has also demonstrated a commitment to workers’ welfare by paying the previous minimum wage of ₦30,000 since inception, along with regular payment of pensions, gratuities, and 13th-month salaries ¹.
Furthermore, since November 2023, Governor Makinde has provided a welfare wage award of ₦25,000 to workers and ₦15,000 to pensioners, aimed at mitigating the effects of the federal government’s fuel subsidy removal ¹. This gesture has been consistent for over a year.
Key Highlights of Oyo State’s Worker-Friendly Initiatives:
- Minimum Wage Increase: ₦80,000 approved for state workforce ¹
- Consistent Salary Payment: Salaries paid on 25th of every month since 2019 ¹
- Welfare Wage Award: ₦25,000 for workers and ₦15,000 for pensioners since November 2023 ¹
- Gratuity Payments: Backlog cleared for 2008-2015, with increased payments for pensioners ¹
- Pensioner Support: Restoration of removed pensioners to payroll and annual Christmas/New Year Chicken Bonus ¹
These developments underscore Governor Makinde’s administration’s dedication to prioritizing the well-being and satisfaction of Oyo State’s workforce.
