The wage bill of workers in Oyo will witness a geometric increase from N6.4 billion to N11.9 billion monthly from January 2025.
This is the aftermath of the approved minimum wage of N80,000 and its consequent adjustment by the state governor, Eng. Seyi Makinde.
The Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade, was quoted in a statement issued at the end of his meeting with the President of the Nigerian Labor Congress, Comrade Kayode Martin, as stating that Governor Makinde is determined to ensure the welfare of the workers without compromising the well-being of the general population and critical sectors.
Responding, the Oyo State NLC Chairman said the minimum wage of ₦80,000 and its consequent adjustments in Oyo are more favorable to workers at all levels compared to other states, including the federal government.
Comrade Martins said Governor Seyi Makinde, whom he called “workers governor”, has been constant in his love for workers.
Oyo was the first state to implement the old £30,000 minimum wage. Furthermore, he began negotiating a new minimum wage with union leaders even before the federal government approved the ₦70,000 minimum wage.
According to the union leader, while the Federal Government added £40,000 across the board for its workers as consequential adjustments and Ogun State added £42,000 across the board in its consequential adjustments to the new minimum wage, Oyo, which has the largest number of workers in the southwest and has just completed the process of incorporating 23,000 more workers into the State workforce, has done more for its workers.
He said the current table of Oyo State provides for the movement of workers in grades 1 to 6 from ₦30,000 to ₦80,000, which translates into an increase of ₦50,000 in the pay scale.
He said level 7 and above now enjoy increments of ₦70,000, ₦80,000, ₦90,000 and even more than ₦180,000 being added to workers' salaries in the consequent adjustment table.
The graphical implication of this, for example, is that level 17 government workers earning £170,000 a month will now earn £360,000.
He noted that no State in Nigeria has done this.
Later in the discussion, the Information Commissioner said that with the 86% monthly increase in salaries and wages for Oyo workers from £6.4 billion to £11.9 billion, the Oyo State Government has now committed to paying more than £143bn in wages. and salaries annually.
Prince Oyelade said Governor Makinde is giving more to the workers of the state beyond expectations and what any other administration has done.
He said Governor Makinde proactively announced a four-year worker promotion to avoid the promotion crisis that had occurred before he assumed office in 2019.
At the end of the visit, the Chairman of the NLC, Comrade Kayode Martins, stated that the motivation that public servants receive for the timely payment of salaries on the 25th of each month to boost the morale of the workers and the state economy is incalculable. .
Comrade Martins said the cordial relationship between Governor Seyi Makinde and the unions was evident in the last strike undertaken by the national body of the unions on December 2, 2024, where Oyo State was exempted due to the cordial relationship. being enjoyed in the State.