The Oyo State Government has disclosed that it currently spends over ₦18 billion monthly on workers’ salaries, as it moves to address growing concerns over the state’s debt profile.
The Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Dotun Oyelade, made the disclosure in Ibadan while leading officials of the ministry to the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Secretariat in solidarity with workers during the 2027 Workers’ Day celebration.
Oyelade stated that the administration of Seyi Makinde has maintained a consistent salary payment structure since 2019, paying workers on or before the 25th of every month as promised at inauguration.
According to him, the commitment, which many initially doubted, has been sustained for 84 consecutive months without default.
He added that beyond prompt payments, the government introduced a 13th-month salary and has reviewed workers’ pay upward three times, even as the workforce expanded significantly through large-scale recruitment.
“Oyo State now has over 130,000 workers, making it the largest sub-national workforce not only in the South-West but across the South-East and South-South regions,” he said.
The Commissioner explained that the current wage bill represents an increase of over 800 per cent compared to 2019 figures, attributing the rise to deliberate policies aimed at improving workers’ welfare.
Speaking further, Oyelade noted that the state’s internally generated revenue, which he put at over ₦103 billion, is being channelled into infrastructure development and social interventions across the state.
He also commended the Oyo State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress for maintaining a stable and cooperative relationship with the government.
In his remarks, the Oyo NLC Chairman, Kayode Martins, acknowledged what he described as deliberate efforts by the Makinde administration to improve workers’ welfare, particularly in the payment of gratuities and settlement of long-standing pension arrears.
The event formed part of activities marking Workers’ Day in Ibadan, with labour leaders and government officials reaffirming their commitment to sustained industrial harmony in Oyo State.
