The Oyo State Government is expected to hold another round of discussions with stakeholders of the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS) on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, following an initial meeting aimed at resolving issues affecting the corporation, its workforce and pensioners.
The meeting with Governor Seyi Makinde is expected to provide an opportunity for representatives of the unions, BCOS management and the state government to deliberate on outstanding workers’ welfare concerns, delayed pension payments, funding challenges and measures to improve the corporation’s operations.
The development was disclosed in a joint statement issued by the two in-house unions, the Radio, Television, Theatre and Arts Workers Union (RATTAWU), led by Comrade Adeniyi Faleti, and the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), BCOS Chapter, under the leadership of Comrade Ademola Balogun.
According to the unions, the planned engagement follows sustained efforts, including formal correspondence and discussions with the government, to draw attention to the challenges confronting the state-owned broadcasting organisation.
They described the government’s willingness to engage with the unions as a significant step towards finding lasting solutions to the issues affecting BCOS.
Government opens discussions with BCOS stakeholders
The planned meeting with the governor follows an initial engagement held on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, at the Conference Hall of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan.
The meeting brought together representatives of the BCOS management and its three in-house unions: RATTAWU, NUJ and the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), BCOS Chapter.
The government delegation was led by the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Musibau Babatunde, and the Head of Service, Dr Mrs Adenike Fasina, alongside two other government officials.
In a statement issued after the meeting, NUP BCOS Secretary Biodun Ipadeola explained that the discussions were convened to address matters affecting the corporation, particularly the welfare of serving employees and pensioners.
Key issues considered included irregular salary and pension payments, outstanding pension increases, funding constraints and the need to establish a sustainable financial arrangement for the corporation.
During his opening remarks, Babatunde urged BCOS management to embrace innovation and adapt its operations to changing realities in the broadcasting and media industry.
He expressed concern that some of the corporation’s programmes appeared outdated and encouraged management to develop more attractive content capable of drawing advertisers and increasing internally generated revenue.
The SSG’s remarks highlighted the need for BCOS to strengthen its commercial operations while addressing the financial challenges that have affected its ability to meet some of its obligations.
BCOS management presents eight requests
At the meeting, the corporation’s management submitted an eight-point request to the state government for consideration.
Among the major demands was the settlement of outstanding subvention arrears covering January to June 2025.
Management also requested that BCOS pensions be paid separately on a monthly basis and that pensioners be transferred to the mainstream pension arrangement.
The corporation further called for the recruitment of new personnel to replace workers who had retired, a move considered necessary to address staffing gaps and sustain its operations.
Other requests reportedly concerned the acquisition of new broadcasting equipment, the provision of an alternative power supply and the settlement of outstanding debts owed to the Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT).
The requests reflect the financial, technical and manpower challenges facing the corporation as it seeks to maintain its broadcasting services and improve operational efficiency.
Pensioners’ transfer emerges as key issue
One of the major issues discussed was the proposal to move BCOS pensioners into the mainstream pension system.
Speaking during the meeting, NUP Chairman Ayorinde Adisa expressed appreciation to the state government for initiating discussions on the future of the corporation and the welfare of its workers and retirees.
Adisa commended the government for giving attention to the concerns of employees and pensioners, describing the situation at BCOS as an isolated case.
He also observed that the corporation’s subvention had increased after the government began returning the files of some retirees who had initially been processed outside BCOS to the corporation.
The union leader consequently appealed to the government to consider the management’s request to transfer BCOS pensioners to the mainstream pension arrangement.
The proposal received considerable attention during the discussions, with both the SSG and the Head of Service seeking clarification on whether the transfer would help address the problem of inadequate subvention.
According to Ipadeola’s account, participants responded affirmatively when the question was put to the meeting, indicating their support for the proposed arrangement as a possible solution to the funding difficulties.
However, the final decision on the proposal is expected to depend on the outcome of the ongoing engagement with the state government.
Unpaid pensions and arrears also discussed
The stakeholders also examined outstanding pension obligations, including arrears arising from a five-month pension increase.
In addition, unpaid pensions for August and September, as well as the October payment, were discussed.
The outstanding amount for the latter payments was put at approximately ₦87 million, according to the NUP BCOS secretary’s account of the meeting.
The issues were formally noted during the discussions for further consideration.
The concerns over delayed payments have remained central to the unions’ engagement with the government, as pensioners seek the settlement of their entitlements and a more reliable payment arrangement.
Unions appeal for calm as talks continue
In their joint statement, RATTAWU and NUJ acknowledged the government’s intervention and expressed appreciation to Governor Makinde for granting the unions an opportunity to present their concerns.
They described the engagement as an important step towards reaching mutually acceptable solutions that would protect workers’ welfare and support the long-term stability of BCOS.
The unions also praised their members for remaining patient and committed throughout the period of consultations.
They urged workers to maintain calm, unity and discipline while the discussions continue, stressing the importance of allowing the negotiation process to proceed through constructive dialogue and mutual respect.
The unions expressed optimism that the engagement would produce positive results for the workforce, the management and the people of Oyo State, who depend on BCOS for news, information and public broadcasting services.
The next meeting, scheduled for Wednesday, October 21, is expected to bring the governor directly into the discussions as the government and BCOS stakeholders consider possible ways forward.
While the outcome of the engagement remains to be seen, the discussions have brought several longstanding concerns, particularly pension payments, funding and operational challenges, to the centre of negotiations between the state government and the corporation’s stakeholders.
Both unions reaffirmed their commitment to pursuing solutions that would improve workers’ welfare and contribute to the continued growth and sustainability of BCOS.
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