Oyo State has been rated by the Nigeria Bureau of Statistics (NBS) as the most employment friendly state in the southern part of Nigeria.
Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade, who disclosed this in a statement on Monday in Ibadan, said the NBS, a federal government agency made this declaration in its latest employment statistics published for 2024.
Oyelade said the document revealed a significant decline in Oyo State unemployment rate, recording an impressive 2.0%, thereby announcing the state as leading in employment creation, surpassing 31 other states in the federation including the FCT which recorded a 14.1% unemployment rate as at September 26, 2024.
According to the Commissioner, the NBS figure is not surprising considering that employment in the state has been consistently high-pitched.
Oyelade recalled that recently, the Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board (OYOSUBEB) announced the employment of 7,000 new staff.
“Two weeks ago, the Oyo State Teaching Service Commission, TESCOM, also announced the employment of 7,500 teachers and 3,000 non-teaching staff.
“This is in addition to the 5,000 teachers employed to TESCOM by (Governor Seyi) Makinde in his first term,” he said.
The Commissioner stated that in the health sector, the state government just concluded the employment process of 375 personnel into the state’s hospital management board.
He listed those to be recruited as medical doctors, nurses, specialist consultants, hospital administrators, pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, medical laboratory scientists, medical laboratory technicians, physiotherapists and other junior cadre officers.
“And as we speak, the employment of 791 staff into the Oyo State Civil Service Commission is ongoing.
“In the same vein, the Seyi Makinde administration has effected the pardoning, reinstatement and promotion of 1,800 workers.
“In a rare approach to governance, Governor Seyi Makinde had ensured that his performances in all sectors, including people’s welfare and employment surpassed his first four years even when the administration is less than two years into the second term”, Oyelade added.
