By Kolawole Olayinka, Abeokuta
Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has announced that his administration has spent a total of N179.7 billion on the payment of pensions and gratuities to both state and local government retirees since 2019.
Speaking during the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration held at the Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta, Abiodun revealed that the long-standing backlog of pension arrears from 2012 to 2017 has been fully cleared. He also disclosed that the state has remitted all outstanding contributions to the National Housing Scheme, thereby enabling more workers to access mortgage financing.
“As a worker-friendly administration, we’ve made deliberate efforts to strengthen our partnership with labour and improve workers’ welfare across Ogun State,” he said. “Pensions are now paid alongside salaries, and over 12,500 workers have benefited from car and motorcycle loans totaling N1.6 billion.”
He noted that N8 billion was used to provide palliatives to workers and pensioners between July 2023 and March 2024 as part of efforts to cushion the impact of fuel subsidy removal.
In further support of workers, Abiodun announced the acquisition of 350 hectares of land at Ijemo/Onisile for a Sites and Services Scheme aimed at helping workers become property owners through mortgage arrangements. The development, which will be known as the Prince Dapo Abiodun Bureaucrats Estate, will be equipped with roads, water, and electricity.
The governor commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for initiating reforms that, according to him, are already yielding positive economic outcomes. “Inflation and prices are beginning to ease, and our economy is gradually recovering,” he said.
He expressed gratitude to Ogun workers for their cooperation, which he credited for positioning the state as a leader in innovation, enterprise, and human capital development. “Our conducive business environment has attracted both local and international investors, strengthening our economy,” Abiodun said, urging civil servants to remain committed to their duties.
Acknowledging the economic difficulties Nigerians face, he assured that his administration is taking active steps to address the challenges and enhance the quality of life in both urban and rural areas.
Federal Controller of Labour in the state, Mr. Andy Egbor, praised Ogun’s model of worker welfare and encouraged other states to emulate it. He emphasized the need for continued collaboration between state and federal governments to improve workers’ livelihoods.
The State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr. Hameed Benco, acknowledged the economic hardship confronting workers and appealed for initiatives like low-cost housing, a price regulatory board for goods, and interest-free loans to reduce their burden.
Similarly, the Chairman of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Akeem Lasisi, described the celebration as a symbol of the workers’ continued struggle for justice and economic relief. He urged the government to tackle the root causes of insecurity — including terrorism, banditry, and kidnapping — which he said compound the challenges workers face.
He also appreciated the state government for various interventions, including prompt pension payments, the restoration of car refurbishment loans, Christmas bonuses, subsidized food programs, and the conduct of the 2023 and 2024 promotion exercises.
The Workers’ Day event highlighted the strong bond between the Ogun State government and the labour force, with a shared commitment to addressing challenges and promoting economic resilience.
