From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa; Taiwo Oluwadare, Ibadan; Noah Ebije, Kaduna; Tony Osauzo, Benin; Olanrewaju Lawal, Birnin Kebbi; Uchenna Inya, Abakaliki; Emmanuel Uzor, Awka; and Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
As workers in Nigeria joined their counterparts across the world to celebrate the Workers’ Day yesterday, state governors praised the civil servants for their commitment to duties in their various states and promised to make their welfare top priorities of their government.
In Bayelsa State, Governor Douye Diri presented two new buses to the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and expressed optimism that meeting the demand would go a long way in addressing their challenges and increasing the productivity of the workers.
“Before you are two new buses procured by your government for the use of the NLC and TUC. That was one recurring demand that we have solved today.
“I am a son of a dedicated classroom teacher, and having known the fulfilment and responsibility of teaching, I feel a profound personal solidarity with every worker in Bayelsa State.
“I understand firsthand the sacrifices you make, the diligence you show, and the hope you carry for a better tomorrow for yourselves, your families, and generations yet unborn.”
Responding to their demands, Diri promised that vehicles would be provided for permanent secretaries and more shuttle buses for the workforce.
On relocation of the Bayelsa Polytechnic to Aleibiri in Ekeremor Local Government Area, the governor directed the immediate release of funds for take-off of the institution at Aleibiri and also for securing accreditation of its programmes.
However, the labour unions, in a joint statement, praised the Diri administration for being responsive to the demands of workers and expressed appreciation to the government for its commitment to their welfare and the overall well-being of workers.
“It is visible to the blind and audible to the deaf that your administration has been kind to Bayelsa workers” they stated.
The unions listed several demands the government had met to include the recent approval of a 25 percent and 35 percent salary increases for all the workers in the mainstream civil service with effect from May 2025, as well as payment of the arrears from January to April 2025.
They also highlighted the approval and implementation of N80,000 new national minimum wage, consistent and prompt payment of monthly salaries and pensions, conduct of promotion exercise and implementation of promotion benefits to workers, completion and inauguration of the NLC and TUC twin secretariat building, and commencement of a nine-storey new secretariat complex for workers.
They equally applauded the governor for assenting to the Education Officers Law on a new retirement age/years of service, resolution of the issue of placement of grade level 17 Bayelsa State judiciary workers and inclusion of local government workers in the payment of new minimum wage and their integration to the Oracle platform of salary payment.
•Makinde reaffirms commitment to workers’ welfare, unveils achievements
In Oyo State, Governor Seyi Makinde reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to fostering a fair, just and supportive work environment for the state’s workforce.
Speaking through his Deputy, Abdul-Raheem Adebayo Lawal, at the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration at Adamasigba Stadium in Ibadan, Governor Makinde revealed key achievements of his administration since taking office in 2019.
He noted that the state had significantly transformed the work culture by investing in office renovations across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), ensuring conducive workspaces that boost morale and efficiency.
“One of the cornerstones of our administration is the regular and timely payment of salaries,” the Governor said. “Unlike the past, when salary arrears were the norm, we have consistently paid workers by the 25th of each month without fail.”
He emphasised the administration’s commitment to career progression, revealing that all eligible civil and public servants have been promoted up to the year 2024. He also cited the 2020 policy that raised the terminal grade level for Officers’ Cadres to Level 17, ensuring equitable advancement for workers previously sidelined.
Makinde further noted that since 2019, workers have received 13th-month salary bonuses annually, even during periods of economic strain. He referenced the palliative support of N25,000 to workers and N15,000 to retirees during hard times, underscoring the administration’s focus on welfare.
In a landmark move, he announced that Oyo State has adopted a minimum wage of N80,000, surpassing the Federal Government’s benchmark of N70,000, as a deliberate step to uplift workers and improve living standards.
Pension payments have remained regular, he added, with consistent efforts to clear outstanding gratuities. The administration has also enabled lateral transfers and career conversions for staff, enhancing workforce flexibility.
In terms of capacity building, over 10,000 civil and public servants have benefited from both local and international training programs. “We believe in empowering our workforce through knowledge,” the Governor stated, quoting Aristotle: “Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work.”
•Kaduna workers get N72,000 minimum wage
Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani said he was able to implement the new minimum wage of N72,000 for civil servants, despite limited resources and inherited monumental debts from past administration. Addressing workers on this year’s May Day celebration at Mutual Square, Kaduna, he said his administration made the sacrifice because it believed that every worker deserves to live in dignity.
“Kaduna State has blazed the trail by implementing the N72,000.00 minimum wage for all state workers. We did this amidst a challenging economic climate with inherited debts and limited resources. Yet, we made this sacrifice because we believe that every worker deserves to live in dignity”.
He also spoke on living conditions of pensioners, government staff and other stakeholders of government, saying, “The uplifting of the living conditions of pensioners is one of the top priorities of our administration. In April, 2025, we released N3.8 billion to settle outstanding gratuity, death benefits and accrued rights in the Contributory Pension Scheme. Since the inception of our administration, we have paid cumulatively N10.2 billion in gratuity, death benefits and accrued rights in the Contributory Pension Scheme. This feat is unprecedented in the history of Kaduna State. We remain committed to ensuring that those who have served Kaduna State retire and live with respect.
“We approved the immediate recruitment of 1,800 health workers to strengthen our primary healthcare system and the employment of 3,000 teachers to restore capacity in our public schools decimated by mass dismissals by the previous administration.
“In a bid to retain intellectual capital, we approved five additional years of service from 35 to 40 years, bringing the retirement age to 65 years for the academic staff of State owned tertiary institutions. The institutions include the Kaduna State University (KASU), Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic Zaria, College of Education, Gidan Waya, and the Schools of Nursing and Midwifery.
“Funds previously withheld from the contributory Teacher’s Welfare Fund have been fully restored. We have repositioned this scheme to deliver meaningful economic empowerment to our teachers.
“We have initiated a Subsidized Transportation Scheme in partnership with organized labour and are finalizing arrangements for the deployment of 100 CNG buses. On March, 11, 2025 at Kakuri, Kaduna, I performed the official project launch of the Kaduna Bus Rapid Transit (KBRT) System (a 24Km corridor from Kawo to Sabon Tasha) and the groundbreaking for the construction of the Southern Terminal, an ultra – modern central motor park that will serve as a vital hub for our transportation network on the southern axis of the state. This is in addition to the distribution of 4,000 motorcycles in February, 2025 to workers.
“The long-standing denial of workers’ promotion that affected over 80% of our workforce has been addressed. All deserving staff will now be recognized and promoted accordingly.
“Earlier this year, we sponsored labour leaders and officials for advanced training in Italy on industrial harmony and collective bargaining. Furthermore, we have approved comprehensive training for union leaders in collaboration with the Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies.
“While workers build the economy, we are obliged to ensure their safety. I am happy to report a significant decline in banditry, kidnapping and terrorism across Kaduna State. This is attributable to the effective implementation of the Kaduna Peace Model, a non-kinetic approach jointly facilitated by the Kaduna State Government, the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) and Security Agencies.”
•Okpebholo raises minimum wage to N75,000 for Edo workers
Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo equally announced increase in the minimum wage for Edo State workers from N70, 000 to N75,000 to further improve their standard of living.
The governor, who made the announcement while delivering his May Day speech at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City appreciated the contributions of Edo State workers to the growth and development of the state, promising that his administration would always seek ways to improve their welfare.
He noted that the workers’ day celebration is a special day set aside to honour the hardworking men and women who keep the state moving forward as they support their families with dignity and strength.
“Today, I am proud to announce that our administration has approved a new minimum wage of N75,000 per month for Edo workers.
“It’s our way of saying thank you, Edo workers. We believe this will make a real difference and in return, we count on your renewed dedication as we build a better Edo together.
“Since assuming office, my administration has remained fully committed to the welfare of our workers. One of our first actions in office was to convert many casual workers, including over 1,000 cleaners who, for years, had no job security into the core civil service, giving them stability and peace of mind.
“We hired 500 new teachers to ease classroom pressure and help students learn better. We are also reviewing the casual position of over 3,000 Edo State teachers for possible full employment because their effort will shape our children’s future.
“We approved the recruitment of 450 clinical and non-clinical staff for our State hospitals and regularized 126 contract staff at Edo State Specialist hospital. These steps not only strengthen our health system but also improve job stability for health professionals”, he said.
The Governor also used the occasion to inform the public that his administration has cleared outstanding salary arrears owed to Edo State polytechnic staff. “In the judiciary, we made sure that judges who had been delayed in their appointments were properly sworn in and now fully carrying out their duties.
“To show our commitment doesn’t end at retirement, we have also approved health insurance coverage for our retirees because we believed that our responsibility to workers doesn’t end when they leave active service.”
Governor Okpebholo said his administration was committed to timely payment of salaries and pension, steady recruitment where needed to improve service delivery, staff welfare and development and ensuring that Edo workers were treated with dignity and fairness.
The acting chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Edo State chapter, Bernard Egwekhide commended the governor for the formations and implementation of laudable policies and programmes towards alleviating the suffering and hardships faced by Edo workers and pensioners.
•Idris promises to do more for workers
On his part, the Kebbi State Governor, Dr Nasir Idris promised to do more for the workers in the area of welfare.
He made the promise while addressing workers at the Haliru Abdul Stadium, Birnin Kebbi, during the celebration of worker’s day celebration.
He enumerated how his administration implemented the N75,000 minimum wage, cleared all the backlogs of pensions and gratuities and completed of the state secretariat, even as he promised that as a former labour leader, he would do more to uplift the welfare of the workers.
He urged the workers to continue to be hardworking, persevering, dedicated to their duties in order to ensure the state is progressing. “This administration will do more for the workers of the state,” he added.
Earlier, the state Chairman the NLC, Murtala Usman, commended the governor for the implementation of of N75,000 new minimum wage, consistent payment of salaries and benefits, clearance of pension and gratuity arrears and promotion of gender equity.
“As we commend these efforts, we also humbly request that your administration remains committed to human capital development, deeper involvement of workers in governance.
“Let us rise above the current economic hardship, knowing that our unity and collective voice remain our most powerful tools for change. Together, we shall reclaim the civic space, safeguard our rights and build a society rooted in Justice and inclusion.”
•Discharge your duties with integrity, passion –Nwifuru
In the same vein, the Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru equally urged workers in the state to continue to discharge their duties with integrity, passion and professionalism to reciprocate the prompt payment of their salaries by his administration.
He said April salaries of all the workers had been paid since last week and implored the workers to be dedicated to their duties to reciprocate the gesture.
He stated this at the Abakaliki Township stadium in the state during this year’s Workers’ Day.
He disclosed that he had cleared all the pensions and gratuities of retired workers in the state from 1996 till date.
The Governor described workers as bedrock of his administration, drivers of public service and vital force behind the daily implementation of the government policies and programmes.
Heexpressed his determination to prioritise their welfare, uphold dignity of labour and ensure that civil and public service systems were not only effective but reflective of equity, productivity and innovation.
“As your Governor, I remain resolute in my pledge to prioritise your welfare, uphold the dignity of labour, and ensure that the civil and public service systems are not only efficient but reflective of equity, productivity, and innovation. Guided by our People’s Charter of Needs Agenda, we are committed to engender a work environment that empowers you to thrive, grow and deliver quality service to the people of Ebonyi State.
“The position I occupy brings me to a vantage point where all the goings-on are brought to my attention for necessary action, in fact, all bucks stop on my table. This is why I said I understand the challenges you face, and I assure you that this administration is focused on tackling them head-on.”