Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has announced the renewal of the wage award for state civil servants for another three months, alongside the continuation of the transport subsidy.
Makinde made the announcement on Friday in Ibadan while resuming official duties after his annual leave. He was received at an event organised by the Acting Governor, Bayo Lawal, and attended by government officials, labour leaders, civil servants and other stakeholders.
According to a statement by the governor’s spokesperson, Dr Sulaimon Olanrewaju, Makinde said the measures were aimed at cushioning the effect of rising economic hardship, particularly following the recent increase in the pump price of petroleum products.
“I want to assure you today that the wage award will be renewed for another three months. We will also continue with the transport subsidy,” Makinde said.
He thanked workers for their dedication and directed the state government to engage with labour leaders on measures to address the economic difficulties facing workers and residents.
The governor disclosed that Oyo State’s monthly wage bill had risen from N4.5 billion in 2019 to about N18 billion, while the state’s minimum wage increased from N18,000 to N80,000 during the same period.
Makinde also commended Lawal for overseeing the affairs of the state during his absence, saying governance continued without disruption.
Makinde Criticises Tinubu Over Power Handover
The governor also criticised President Bola Tinubu over the absence of a formal transfer of power to the Vice-President during the President’s recent leave.
Makinde argued that constitutional provisions on the transfer of presidential authority should be respected, adding that his decision to formally hand over to Lawal demonstrated the importance of teamwork in governance.
He said political leaders should ensure that government continues effectively even when they are temporarily away from office.
‘Five Months From Now, Oyo Will Have a Governor-Elect’
Makinde urged Oyo residents and civil servants to carefully consider the choices they would make in the forthcoming governorship election.
“Five months from now, you will have a governor-elect. It won’t be about Makinde again. The decisions you take during the election will determine the direction and trajectory of governance in Oyo State,” he said.
The governor also advised voters to examine the records, experience and policy proposals of those seeking to govern the state.
Makinde Defends €55m French Health Loan
Makinde dismissed allegations by the All Progressives Congress that the €55 million French health loan obtained by the Oyo State Government could be diverted to finance his political ambition.
He said the facility was secured specifically to strengthen healthcare delivery and upgrade health infrastructure across the state.
According to Makinde, discussions on the facility began in 2020, while 35 per cent of the funding had already been converted into a grant. He added that the French Government approved an interest rate of 0.0006 per cent.
The governor said the process followed discussions with the French Government after the French Ambassador visited him in 2019, when he was governor-elect.
He challenged those alleging diversion of the funds to produce evidence, stressing that the facility had gone through a lengthy approval process.
Makinde also questioned a proposal by one of the governorship contenders to reduce class sizes to 30 pupils, asking how such a policy would affect teacher recruitment, salaries and the provision of additional school infrastructure.
“Governance is serious business; destinies of millions are involved,” he said.
Earlier, Acting Governor Lawal thanked Makinde for providing what he described as a positive trajectory for the state and appreciated members of the executive and legislature, workers and security agencies for their cooperation during his tenure.
The Deputy Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Mohammed Fadeyi, welcomed Makinde back and commended Lawal for his performance while acting governor.
Fadeyi also expressed the readiness of the legislature to receive the state’s 2027 Appropriation Bill.
The Head of Service, Dr Adenike Fashina, praised Makinde for his commitment to workers’ welfare and regular payment of salaries. She said the 2025 promotion exercise had largely been implemented and requested approval for the commencement of the 2026 promotion exercise.
Labour leaders at the event also commended the governor for his support for workers and expressed interest in seeing what they described as the Oyo experience extended to the national level.
The event was attended by senior government officials, including the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Musibau Babatunde; Chief of Staff, Otunba Segun Ogunwuyi; Deputy Chief of Staff, Hon. Kazeem Adeniyi; commissioners, permanent secretaries, local government chairmen, civil servants and other stakeholders.
