We’ve Paid Workers’ Salaries For 92 Months – Makinde

Oyo State governor, Syi Makinde, has disclosed that his administration has consistently paid workers’ salaries on or before the 25th of every month for the past 92 months, while also increasing monthly gratuity payments from N250 million to N3 billion.

Makinde, who made this known during the 2026 Workers’ Day celebration held at the Adamasingba Stadium, Ibadan, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to workers’ welfare, pensioners, and retirees across the state.

Represented by the secretary to the state government, Prof Musbau Babatunde, the governor said his administration made a covenant with workers upon assuming office in 2019 that their “sweat would not be in vain.”

According to him, the government has maintained prompt payment of salaries without default since May 2019.

“Since May 2019, Oyo State has paid salaries on or before the 25th of every month. For 92 consecutive months, we have not failed. We do not pay in percentages, and we do not owe,” he said.

Makinde also disclosed that the state government implemented the national minimum wage and had continued to clear inherited arrears of promotions and leave bonuses in phases in consultation with labour unions.

He added that the administration recently approved a monthly N10,000 transport subsidy for all public servants and pensioners to cushion the effects of economic hardship.

On pensions and gratuities, the governor said his administration inherited a distressed pension system but had restored stability and dignity to retirees through regular payments.

He stated that pensions were now paid consistently alongside salaries without delay.

Makinde further revealed that monthly gratuity payments had risen significantly under his administration.

“We increased monthly gratuity payments from N250 million to N500 million, and now to N3 billion monthly, covering retirees across the state and local government services,” he said.

According to him, the increased payments have accelerated the clearing of backlog owed retirees while restoring confidence in the system.

He also noted that the government introduced pre-retirement training programmes aimed at ensuring seamless processing of retirement benefits for workers approaching retirement age.

The governor maintained that prompt payment of salaries and gratuities had contributed positively to the state’s economy by supporting businesses, boosting markets, and increasing economic activities across communities.

“Prompt payment is not charity; it is sound economic policy,” he said.

Makinde added that the administration had also implemented reforms aimed at improving workers’ career progression within the civil service.

He explained that promotion backlogs had been cleared, while terminal grade levels were extended to Grade Level 17, including for public primary school teachers whose career progression previously ended at Grade Level 15.

Speaking on insecurity and poverty, which formed the theme of the 2026 Workers’ Day celebration, the governor said both challenges remained major threats to productivity and workers’ welfare.

He noted that the government had strengthened the Amotekun Corps, procured security vehicles, motorcycles, and surveillance aircraft, and improved collaboration among security agencies to protect lives and property across the state.

Makinde urged workers to remain disciplined, committed, and innovative, while also calling on labour leaders to sustain constructive engagement with the government.

“We will not owe. We will not delay. We will continue to clear gratuity backlogs and continue to secure Oyo State,” he pledged.

The Workers’ Day event was attended by labour leaders, civil servants, pensioners, government officials, and other stakeholders across the state.