In the rugged terrain of Nigerian governance, where broken promises often define public service, one governor has emerged as the true friend of the worker. His Excellency, Engr. Seyi Makinde FNSE, Executive Governor of Oyo State, has earned the rare title of Workers’ Governor and Beloved Son of Pensioners through six years of deliberate, people-focused policies that have restored dignity to labour in the Pace Setter State.
Leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) in Oyo State recall a dark era of unpaid salaries, denied promotions and government apathy before 2019. “Workers were in chains,” one labour leader said. “Makinde came and set us free.”
Since taking office, Governor Makinde has not only paid salaries on or before the 25th of every month for 92 consecutive months, but has expanded the state’s wage bill to N24 billion monthly for state and local government workers. As of May 2026, Oyo pays over N18 billion monthly to more than 130,000 workers an 800 per cent increase from 2019 levels making it the largest workforce in the South-West, South-East and South-South zones.
To cushion the hardship of fuel subsidy removal and inflation, the governor introduced groundbreaking measures:
- Free Transit and N10,000 Transport Subsidy: Civil servants and pensioners enjoy free state buses and a monthly N10,000 transport allowance.
- N80,000 Minimum Wage: Oyo began paying N80,000 minimum wage from January 2025, above the N77,500 federal benchmark. This came after months of N25,000 wage awards to workers and N15,000 to pensioners.
- 13th-Month Salary: For the sixth year running, workers received full 13th-month pay in December 2025.
- Job Creation Boom: Makinde’s administration has created over 20,000 jobs. This includes 5,600 SUBEB teachers and 80 caregivers, approval for 7,500 secondary school teachers and 3,000 non-teaching staff, 3,933 health workers for PHCs, 791 civil servants, conversion of 1,591 LG ad-hoc staff to permanent roles, plus 500 OYRTMA officers and 561 Amotekun operatives.
- Training and Promotion: Over 10,000 civil servants have received local and foreign training. The government has cleared inherited promotion arrears and leave bonuses in phases.
For Oyo’s 22,212 pensioners, the story is equally remarkable. Baba Abatan, respected leader of pensioners, said Makinde “wiped away our tears.”
Monthly gratuity payments have jumped from N250 million to N3 billion, with N60 million specifically committed monthly to clear arrears. All inherited pension backlogs are being settled, with the governor pledging full clearance by May 2027 if any remain by December 2026.
Pensions are paid alongside workers’ salaries on or before the 25th monthly. Annual gratuity provision has risen from N1 billion to N3 billion.
At the 2026 May Day rally at Adamasingba Stadium, Makinde told workers: “Your sweat will not be in vain.” He restated his commitment to housing and car loans, digitalisation of public service, and continuous welfare reforms.
Labour leaders say Makinde’s model has brought economic stability to Oyo. With N24 billion circulating monthly as salaries, private sector confidence has grown, attracting new investments.
Six years on, Governor Makinde has redefined governance as a social contract. From free buses to N80,000 wages, from mass recruitment to pensioners’ relief, Oyo has become the benchmark for labour-friendly administration in Nigeria.
As Baba Abatan put it: “We have never had it this good. Makinde is God-sent.”
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Bashorun Saintabey is a distinguished socio-philosopher, author, reformer, coach, and public policy expert. As Deputy Coordinator of GSM Advocates, he leverages his expertise to drive meaningful change. A seasoned academic with a passion for writing, Bashorun sheds light on socially relevant and contemporary issues, inspiring thoughtful discussion and reflection.
