We’ve paid N179bn in pensions, gratuities – Abiodun

…says 350 hectares acquired under sites and services schemes for workers

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has stated that his administration has so far expended N179.7 billion in settling pensions and gratuities for state and local government retirees since its inception in 2019.

Abiodun, who disclosed this at the 2025 Workers’ Day Celebration held at the Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta, said the backlog of pensions from 2012 to 2017 had been cleared, just as the backlog of National Housing Scheme remittances has also been cleared to ensure easy access to mortgage loans.

According to the governor, about 12,500 workers have benefited from car and motorcycle loans, which his administration has increased to the tune of N1.6 billion.

He said: “As a worker-friendly administration, we have made deliberate efforts to deepen our partnership with labor to improve working conditions and enhance the welfare of our workers across the state. This administration, since its inception in 2019, has cleared the pension backlog, and pensions are now paid alongside salaries. We have paid for the period from 2012 to 2017. A total of N179.7 billion has been disbursed as pensions and gratuities to both state and local government pensioners. The backlog of National Housing Scheme remittances has been cleared, easing access to mortgage loans. We have increased car and motorcycle loans to the tune of N1.6 billion, disbursed to about 12,500 beneficiaries.”

He said N8 billion was used to provide palliatives to state workers and pensioners between July 2023 and March 2024 to cushion the effects of subsidy removal on fuel.

Abiodun also disclosed that 350 hectares of land at Ijemo/Onisela has been acquired and launched under a Sites and Services Scheme to support the aspirations of workers in the state to become property owners through mortgages.

In his opening remarks, the Federal Controller of Labour, Ogun State, Mr. Andy Egbor, stated that workers have contributed to the nation’s progress and appreciated those who championed better working conditions for workers.

State Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr. Hameed Benco, noted that the current economic challenges have not only threatened welfare but also job security, calling on governments to build low-cost housing, establish a market pricing regulatory board to regulate the prices of goods, and provide interest-free loans to workers as part of efforts to lessen the hardship.

Chairman of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Akeem Lasisi, described the celebration as a struggle against oppression as workers are going through economic hardship, calling on the government to address insecurity caused by the activities of Boko Haram, banditry, kidnappers, and herdsmen.