The Oyo State Government has reiterated its commitment to protecting workers from the impact of rising fuel prices, even as it calls on the Federal Government to introduce stronger nationwide relief measures to ease economic hardship.
The Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, disclosed that the Oyo State Government now spends over ₦142 billion annually on salaries, making it one of the highest-paying states in the country.
He explained that this level of financial commitment reflects the administration’s sustained investment in the welfare of civil servants and public service efficiency.
According to him, the wage burden in Oyo State has continued to increase following recent policy decisions aimed at cushioning economic shocks affecting workers.
One of such measures is the ₦10,000 monthly transport support recently introduced for all categories of workers across the state public service.
Oyelade noted that the initiative, approved by Governor Seyi Makinde, was designed to reduce the pressure caused by rising transportation costs linked to global fuel price instability.
He added that the intervention has increased the state’s monthly wage expenditure by nearly ₦2 billion.
The Commissioner explained that the decision was necessary due to the ripple effects of international developments, including tensions involving Iran, which have contributed to volatility in global energy markets.
This situation, he said, has worsened inflationary pressures affecting food, transport, and basic household needs.
In reviewing past interventions, Oyelade recalled that Oyo State implemented a significant wage adjustment in January last year, raising the minimum wage for its workforce—estimated at over 130,000 employees—to ₦80,000.
This decision was taken to mitigate the economic impact of fuel subsidy removal announced by the Federal Government.
He stressed that Oyo State has consistently positioned itself as a worker-friendly administration, prioritising salaries and welfare despite increasing fiscal pressure.
According to him, the state has managed to sustain one of the most competitive remuneration structures in Nigeria’s subnational system.
The Commissioner also highlighted Governor Makinde’s personal commitment to public welfare, noting that since May 2019, the governor has donated his monthly salary to pensioners in the state.
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He described this gesture as a symbolic demonstration of empathy and leadership responsibility.
While commending recent actions by President Bola Tinubu—including his pledge to donate his salary to families of fallen and injured military personnel—Oyelade urged the Federal Government to scale up broader economic relief measures.
He said that although such gestures are commendable, they must be complemented with structural interventions that directly address the cost-of-living crisis affecting millions of Nigerians.
The Oyo State Government further appealed for an upward review of workers’ salaries at the national level, arguing that current income levels are no longer sufficient in the face of rising inflation and transportation costs.
According to him, coordinated fiscal support between federal and state governments is necessary to stabilise living conditions and prevent further economic strain on households.
He maintained that without urgent intervention, the burden on workers will continue to grow across all sectors.
The Oyo State Government also emphasized that its own interventions, while significant, cannot fully offset the broader national economic pressures affecting citizens.
Ultimately, the administration called for decisive action to reduce fuel prices and implement sustainable wage adjustments that reflect current economic realities.
It insisted that such steps are essential to protect workers and maintain productivity across the public service system.