The state government employees of Oyo State received a total of ₦12 billion yesterday, which is the largest payment of monthly salary and wages in Southwest Nigeria.
Lagos State employs less people than Oyo, which has more than 130,000 workers, while paying a minimum wage of ₦85,000.
Prince Dotun Oyelade, the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, said in a statement that the ₦12 billion that was paid yesterday was due to Governor Seyi Makinde’s pledge to pay State employees a minimum wage of ₦80,000 starting on January 1, 2025.
One effect of the new wage is that employees in Grades 1 through 6 now receive at least a 50,000 rise, while those in Grade 17 see their pay soar by more than 180,000.
Pensioners are included in the complete welfare program during the same month of January.
With immediate effect, a 33% pension increase for almost 40,000 retirees and a minimum pension of ₦25,000 have been authorised.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner revealed that “the State Government has abolished the payment of ₦4,000 for retirement forms to further ease financial pressure on those planning to retire.”
About 4,500 workers who will soon retire would benefit from this, as nearly ₦20 million will return to their pockets.
On January 25, 2025, Prince Dotun Oyelade, the Honourable Commissioner for Information and Orientation of Oyo State, e-signed this document.