Lagos Workers to Get Additional ₦50,000 on Salary to Cushion Economic Hardship – Sanwo-Olu
…NLC, TUC appeals for review of the minimum wage from ₦85,000 to ₦250,000
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has approved an additional ₦50,000 to State workers’ salaries for the month of May as part of efforts to cushion the prevailing economic hardship, particularly the impact of rising fuel prices.
Governor Sanwo-Olu made the announcement at the 2026 Workers
Day celebration themed “Insecurity, Poverty: Bane of Decent Work", held on
Friday at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Lagos.
He reiterated that the intervention, which will be reviewed,
underscores his administration’s resolve to ensure that Lagos remains a
functional city and one that works for its residents, especially the workforce
that drives its growth and development.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, represented by his deputy, Dr. Obafemi
Hamzat, emphasised that the welfare of workers remains central to his
administration’s agenda, adding that the government will continue to deploy
sustained support measures to ease economic pressures and improve living
conditions.
“Our job has always been to make sure that the city we are
building is also a city that works for you. We know that prices of fuel are
rising. We know we did not cause the war in Iran, but we are feeling its
impact. So this government has made the decision that for this May, there will
be an additional ₦50,000 for every worker in Lagos State, irrespective of
grades—₦50,000 across the board,” he said.
He further reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to
addressing structural, policy, and moral challenges affecting the workforce,
noting that the realities faced by workers require deliberate and measurable
action rather than rhetoric.
According to him, the administration has spent the past
seven years systematically tackling these challenges through targeted
interventions aimed at improving welfare, dignity, and productivity. He cited
issues such as long commuting hours, housing affordability, and delayed
retirement benefits as structural and moral concerns being addressed through
policy reforms.
Governor Sanwo-Olu stressed that public servants are regarded
not as a budget line or political bloc, but as the living infrastructure of
Lagos State.
He also highlighted key reforms and investments across
sectors, including the implementation of the highest minimum wage in the
country, expansion of healthcare coverage through the Lagos State Health
Management Authority, and the introduction of the "Ilera Eko Easy Pay
system" to ease health insurance payments for residents.
On pensions, he said the Lagos State Pension Commission has
intensified timely payments, disbursing over N1 billion to retirees while
introducing free first-year post-service healthcare and pre-retirement support
initiatives.
He further restated the administration’s commitment to
dignifying senior civil servants through the provision of official vehicles,
describing it as part of deliberate efforts to improve efficiency and living
standards.
The Governor also commended the leadership of the Nigeria
Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) for their constructive
engagement, noting that while discussions may not always be seamless, the
government remains committed to open dialogue and sustained collaboration with
labour unions.
In his goodwill message, the Lagos State Head of Service,
Mr. Olabode Agoro, described workers as critical partners in governance and
economic development, stressing that the government will continue to implement
strategic interventions to improve welfare and working conditions.
He said the Workers Day Celebration offered an opportunity
to reflect on progress made and to reaffirm commitment to building a more
efficient and people-centred public service, adding that the strong
relationship between government and labour unions remains a key driver of
industrial harmony in the State.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Establishments and
Training, Mr. Afolabi Ayantayo, commended Governor Sanwo-Olu’s administration
for its consistent investment in workers’ welfare, describing it as a clear
demonstration of leadership that prioritises labour harmony and productivity.
He noted that the administration has ensured seamless
implementation of the minimum wage, prompt salary and pension payments, and
clearance of retirement bond certificate backlogs, thereby transforming labour
relations into a partnership for progress.
In their remarks, the Chairperson of the Nigeria Labour
Congress (NLC), Lagos State Council, Comrade Agnes Funmi Sessi, and her Trade
Union of Nigeria (TUC) counterpart, Comrade Aladetan Abiodun, stressed the
importance of the event as one that presents an opportunity to appreciate the
invaluable contributions of workers to national development, reevaluate the
collective progress and advance policies that guarantee industrial harmony,
decent work and social justice for all.
They added that continued government participation in the
May Day celebration, particularly the presence of the Governor and his cabinet
members and other top government officials, demonstrates a commendable
commitment to the welfare of workers in the state.
While commending the approval of the current minimum wage,
she argued that it is no longer sufficient to meet basic needs as inflationary
pressures, worsened by global geopolitical tensions, have significantly eroded
workers’ purchasing power.
They therefore appealed for a review of the minimum wage from ₦85,000 to ₦250,000, stressing that Lagos remains Nigeria’s economic nerve centre, where the cost of transportation, housing, and feeding remains exceptionally high.
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