Lagos State Governor, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, has approved an additional ₦50,000 salary support for all state workers for the month of May, as part of measures to cushion the impact of rising living costs.
The governor made the announcement on Friday at the 2026 Workers’ Day celebration held at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, where he reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to workers’ welfare and industrial harmony.
Represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, Sanwo-Olu said the intervention, which cuts across all grade levels, was necessitated by prevailing economic realities, including the surge in fuel prices and broader global pressures.
“For this May, there will be an additional ₦50,000 for every worker in Lagos State, irrespective of grade,” he said, noting that the measure remains subject to review.
The governor said his administration views public servants as the “living infrastructure” of Lagos, stressing that sustained efforts have been made over the past seven years to address structural challenges affecting workers, including commuting stress, housing affordability and delayed retirement benefits.
He highlighted key interventions such as the implementation of the highest minimum wage in the country, expansion of healthcare coverage through the Lagos State Health Management Authority, and the introduction of the Ilera Eko Easy Pay system to ease access to health insurance.
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On pensions, Sanwo-Olu said the Lagos State Pension Commission has intensified prompt payments, disbursing over ₦1 billion to retirees while also introducing post-service healthcare support and pre-retirement initiatives.
He also noted that the provision of official vehicles for senior civil servants forms part of efforts to improve efficiency and living standards within the public service.
The governor commended labour unions, including the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC), for maintaining constructive engagement with the government, assuring that dialogue would remain central to labour relations in the state.
In his remarks, the Head of Service, Mr. Olabode Agoro, described workers as critical partners in governance and economic development, adding that the administration would continue to pursue policies aimed at improving working conditions and service delivery.
Similarly, the Commissioner for Establishments and Training, Mr. Afolabi Ayantayo, commended the administration’s consistent investment in workers’ welfare, noting that prompt salary and pension payments, as well as the clearance of retirement bond backlogs, have strengthened labour relations.
Leaders of organised labour in the state, including NLC Chairperson Agnes Funmi Sessi and TUC representative Aladetan Abiodun, acknowledged the government’s efforts but called for a review of the current minimum wage from ₦85,000 to ₦250,000, citing rising inflation and the high cost of living in Lagos.
They stressed that while progress has been made, sustained policy adjustments are necessary to ensure decent work standards and social justice for workers in Nigeria’s commercial hub.
