Lagos Clears N3.6bn Salary Backlog of Academic Staff, Others.

Lagos State government has paid N3.67 billion in salary arrears to 6,293 academic and non-academic staff of state-owned tertiary institutions as part of sweeping welfare and public service reforms aimed at improving workers’ wellbeing and sustaining industrial harmony across the state.

The commissioner for Establishments and Training, Mr Afolabi Ayantayo, disclosed this on Monday during the 2026 Ministerial Press Briefing commemorating the third year of the second term of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa, Ikeja.

Ayantayo said the payment covered nine months’ arrears arising from the 25 per cent and 35 per cent salary increase approved for workers in Lagos State-owned tertiary institutions.

According to him, the intervention formed part of the government’s broader commitment to prioritising workers’ welfare, strengthening industrial peace and repositioning the Lagos public service for improved productivity and efficiency.

The commissioner explained that the administration had continued to invest heavily in staff welfare, training, promotions and institutional reforms to build a more responsive and globally competitive public service.

He disclosed that the state government also implemented a monthly pension increment of N32,000 for retirees under the Defined Benefit Scheme, in line with the National Minimum Wage Amendment Act 2024.

Ayantayo further revealed that Governor Sanwo-Olu approved the payment of N50,000 fuel palliative to public servants to cushion the effects of economic hardship and rising transportation costs.

“This singular act further bears eloquent testimony to the resolve of Mr Governor and his Deputy in prioritising the welfare and well-being of workers,” he stated.

The commissioner said the government also paid N456.5 million to the Medical Residency Training Fund for 470 resident doctors in the state, while salary differentials amounting to N378.8 million were approved for medical and dental practitioners.

He added that Lagos successfully implemented the Lagos Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (LAGMESS). This move helped avert industrial action in the health sector and improve remuneration for doctors and dental practitioners.

According to Ayantayo, the issue surrounding contributory pensions involving the Association of Resident Doctors was also resolved in April 2026 through dialogue and engagement.

On human capital development, the commissioner disclosed that the ministry organised 54 training programmes between May 2025 and May 2026, benefiting over 7,116 public servants across various cadres.