Lagos govt clears N3.67bn salary backlog, increases monthly pension by N32,000
By Adeola Ogunrinde
The Lagos State Government has approved and paid N3.67 billion in salary arrears to 6,293 academic and non-academic staff of state-owned tertiary institutions as part of efforts to improve workers’ welfare and sustain industrial harmony across the state.
Commissioner for Establishments and Training, 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.
Ayantayo explained that the payment covered nine months of arrears resulting from the 25 percent and 35 percent salary increases approved for workers in Lagos State-owned tertiary institutions. He said the intervention reflected the administration’s commitment to prioritising workers’ welfare and improving service delivery in the public sector.
According to the commissioner, the state government has continued to invest in staff welfare, training, promotions and institutional reforms aimed at building a more responsive and globally competitive public service. He added that the reforms were also designed to strengthen industrial peace and boost productivity across government institutions.
Ayantayo further disclosed that the state government implemented a N32,000 monthly pension increment for retirees under the Defined Benefit Scheme in line with the National Minimum Wage Amendment Act 2024. He noted that the administration also approved a N50,000 fuel palliative for 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 wellbeing of workers,” the commissioner stated.
The commissioner also revealed that the government paid N456.5 million under the Medical Residency Training Fund to 470 resident doctors in the state. He added that salary differentials amounting to N378.8 million were approved for medical and dental practitioners.
Ayantayo also disclosed that the successful implementation of the Lagos Consolidated Medical Salary Structure helped avert industrial action in the health sector and improved remuneration for doctors and dental practitioners. The commissioner also disclosed that the ministry organised 54 training programmes between May 2025 and May 2026, benefiting more than 7,116 public servants across different cadres.
