Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has approved an increase in the minimum wage to N80,000 for public sector workers in the state, marking a significant step towards enhanced welfare for the workforce.
The announcement was made in a statement released on Wednesday in Ibadan by Prince Dotun Oyelade, Oyo State Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation.
The Increase follows a recommendation by a technical committee established by the state government to review the wage structure.
According to Oyelade, Governor Makinde has given full approval for the new salary scale, which will be implemented after the finalisation of consequential adjustments by a committee that includes both government officials and labour representatives.
“The committee’s recommendation for an N80,000 minimum wage has been approved by the governor and will take effect once all necessary adjustments are completed,” said Oyelade.
This wage increment coincides with Oyo State’s recent recognition as the most worker-friendly state in the South-West, as reported by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) in its 2024 employment review.
The bureau’s rating was attributed to a notable reduction in the state’s unemployment rate, which has been driven by Makinde’s proactive employment initiatives across various state sectors.
Additionally, Oyelade highlighted Governor Makinde’s commitment to timely salary payments, stating that since his administration began in 2019, workers in the state have consistently received their salaries on the 25th of each month.
He also noted the administration’s efforts to address long-standing financial obligations to pensioners, specifically the backlog of gratuities from 2008 to 2015, which have been cleared with an increase in gratuity payouts.
The commissioner said Governor Makinde’s approval of the N80,000 minimum wage reaffirms his administration’s dedication to supporting state workers and enhancing the overall employment landscape in Oyo.
