Gov Makinde pledges to review pensioners’ wages, clear backlog of arrears
By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has pledged to review pensioners’ wages and gratuities, clear the backlog of arrears, and revisit the Contributory Pension Scheme in the state.
Makinde, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Dr. Sulaimon Olanrewaju, made the promise during the 2025 Annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Service—the 6th edition since 2019—held at the Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan.
He also announced that his administration would address the issue of gratuities, which amount to over N80 billion for state and local government pensioners. He noted that the last time the Oyo State Government negotiated a pension review was in 2007.
The Governor said:
“I want to make an announcement here today regarding the pensioners because we negotiated minimum wage and consequential adjustments but are yet to finalise that of the pensioners. We will do that this week. We will do it because pensioners must also survive. They have given their best to the state during their prime.”
Makinde commended the state’s workforce and labour union leaders for their support and cooperation since the inception of his administration, urging them to continue validating their values as public and civil servants.
He also congratulated the 45 newly appointed Permanent Secretaries, emphasizing that 80% of them emerged strictly on merit. He advised them to see their appointments as the beginning of greater opportunities in their careers.
The Governor also vowed to tackle banditry and other crimes, urging traditional rulers to exercise authority in their domains to help improve security in the state.
In her welcome address, the Oyo State Head of Service, Mrs. Olubunmi Oni (mni), appreciated the Governor for his unwavering commitment to the welfare of civil and public servants, as well as pensioners, despite the challenging economic situation in the country. She urged the workforce to remain effective, efficient, transparent, disciplined, loyal, and supportive in actualizing the Oyo State Roadmap for Sustainable Development (2023–2027).
In their separate goodwill messages, the State Chairmen of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Kayode Martins and Comrade Bosun Olabiyi, respectively, commended the Governor for enhancing the welfare of workers.
They highlighted prompt salary payments, the payment of the 13th-month salary, wage awards, and the approval of an N80,000 minimum wage with consequential adjustments.
