Despite not having the financial stature of traditionally affluent states like Lagos and Rivers, Oyo State has made significant strides in enhancing worker satisfaction by allocating an impressive annual budget of ₦50 billion for comprehensive welfare packages. This achievement is unprecedented and reflects a commitment to improving the livelihoods of its workforce.
This information was shared by Prince Dotun Oyelade, the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, who clarified that the substantial welfare allocation is independent of the forthcoming increase in the minimum wage to ₦80,000, which is expected to be implemented soon.
In a detailed breakdown of expenditures, it was noted that in October 2024 alone, Oyo State spent a remarkable sum of ₦1,311,780,000 as a wage award for its workers. This amount was in addition to the statutory salary expenditure of ₦3,198,742,396.75 for civil servants during the same month. Collectively, these expenditures totalled ₦4,510,522,396.75, demonstrating a robust commitment to staff welfare.
Commissioner Oyelade stressed that the administration under Governor Seyi Makinde places a higher priority on the welfare of civil servants compared to the remuneration of political office holders—an assurance that has been a cornerstone of the administration’s promises since 2019. To put this in perspective, the total funds allocated for civil servant salaries and wage awards in October far outstripped the meager ₦124,369,753.88 allocated to all political and public servants in the state during the same period.
He underscored the fact that the amount dedicated to workers’ salaries and wages nearly matches the state government’s monthly Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), illustrating the impact of such financial outlays on the state’s resources.
Since the beginning of the administration nearly five years ago, the government has consistently adhered to the commitment of paying the previous minimum wage of ₦30,000 and has maintained regular payments for pensions, gratuities, and the 13th month salary for both active workers and retirees.
Commissioner Oyelade further highlighted that since November 2023, Governor Makinde has been distributing welfare wage awards amounting to ₦25,000 for workers and ₦15,000 for pensioners, which contrasts sharply with several other states that have ceased similar payments.
Moreover, discussions are actively underway regarding the implementation of the newly approved ₦80,000 minimum wage, with a Technical Committee composed of high-level officials from both the government and labor sectors working diligently on the transition.