Oyo State Government, yesterday, dropped a total sum of ₦12 billion in the pockets of the state government workers, signifying the largest tranche of monthly salaries and wages in Southwest Nigeria.
Though Lagos State pays ₦85,000 minimum wage but has less workforce than Oyo which boasts of over 130,000 workers.
In a statement by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade, the ₦12 billion paid yesterday is a result of promise kept by Governor Seyi Makinde on the ₦80,000 minimum wage for the State workers from January 1, 2025.
One of the implications of the new wage is that workers on Grade levels one to six now enjoy a minimum of ₦50,000 increment while the salaries of those on Grade level 17 shoot up by over ₦180,000.
In this same month of January, Pensioners are not left behind in the comprehensive welfare.
A minimum pension of ₦25,000 and a 33% pension increment for over 40,000 retirees have been approved with immediate effect.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner revealed that the State Government has abolished the payment of ₦4,000 for retirement forms to further ease financial pressure on those planning to retire.
To this end almost ₦20 million will go back to the pockets of about 4,500 workers who will retire soon.
*E-signed:*
*Prince Dotun Oyelade*
*Honourable Commissioner for Information and Orientation*
*Oyo State*