Lagos pays retirees N8bn, expands welfare for workers, pensioners
By Adeola Ogunrinde
The Lagos State Government says it has paid a total of N8,042,264,264.91 to retirees under the Contributory Pension Scheme and the Defined Benefit Scheme as part of efforts to strengthen workers’ welfare and improve pension administration in the state public service.
The state Head of Service, Bode Agoro, disclosed this on Monday during the 2026 Ministerial Press Briefing marking the seventh anniversary of the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre in Alausa, Ikeja.
Agoro said the payment reflected the administration’s commitment to the welfare of both serving and retired public servants, describing the civil service as the engine room of governance and development in Lagos State. He commended workers for their dedication, resilience and professionalism in sustaining effective governance across the state.
According to him, the Office of the Head of Service recorded significant achievements in staff welfare, pension administration, housing support, innovation, procurement reforms and workforce development during the period under review.
He stated that 4,837 newly recruited officers across different cadres had been uploaded into the Soft Suite database and deployed to relevant ministries, departments and agencies, while 38 political appointees were also integrated into the system.
The head of service added that 185 newly recruited and converted administrative and human resource officers underwent familiarisation tours to key establishment ministries to deepen their understanding of public service operations. He also disclosed that Governor Sanwo-Olu approved the appointment of 25 substantive directors on Grade Level 17 as permanent secretaries and tutors-general in the state public service.
On staff welfare, Agoro said the government implemented the payment of a N50,000 palliative to public servants in May 2026 and approved a N32,000 monthly pension increment for pensioners under the Defined Benefit Scheme. He added that the Office of the Head of Service also inaugurated the annual health screening exercise tagged, “Public Servants, Know Your Numbers” to encourage workers to prioritise regular medical checks.
He further disclosed that five junior officers received five million naira each through a transparent ballot system, while Governor Sanwo-Olu approved additional cash gifts worth N130.5 million for other outstanding officers. Agoro added that 17 retired permanent secretaries were honoured during the 2025 Pens Down Ceremony in recognition of their meritorious service to the state.
