Lagos clears N3.6 bn salary backlog, improving public workers’ welfare

…Pays Retirees N8bn

By Olasunkanmi Akoni

The Lagos State Government has approved and paid N3.67 billion in salary arrears to 6,293 academic and non‑academic staff of state‑owned tertiary institutions. The move is part of a broader welfare and public service reform agenda aimed at improving workers’ wellbeing and maintaining industrial harmony across the state.

Commissioner for Establishments and Training, Afolabi Ayantayo, announced the payment on Monday during the 2026 ministerial press briefing that marked the seventh anniversary of Governor Babajide Sanwo‑Olu and Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat’s administration. The briefing was held in Alausa, Ikeja.

Ayantayo explained that the payment covered nine months of arrears that had accumulated after the 25 percent and 35 percent salary increases approved for staff in Lagos State‑owned tertiary institutions.

He said the intervention was part of the government’s wider commitment to prioritise workers’ welfare, strengthen industrial peace, and reposition the Lagos public service for greater productivity and efficiency.

The commissioner added that the administration has continued to invest heavily in staff welfare, training, promotions, and institutional reforms to build a more responsive and globally competitive public service.

Ayantayo also revealed that the state government implemented a monthly pension increment of N32,000 for retirees under the Defined Benefit Scheme, in line with the National Minimum Wage Amendment Act 2024.

He further disclosed that Governor Sanwo‑Olu approved a N50,000 fuel palliative for public servants to help cushion the effects of economic hardship and rising transportation costs.

“This singular act further bears eloquent testimony to the resolve of Mr Governor and his deputy in prioritising the welfare and wellbeing of workers,” he said.

“The government also paid N456.5 million to the Medical Residency Training Fund for 470 resident doctors in the state, while salary differentials amounting to N378.8 million were approved for medical and dental practitioners,” Ayantayo added.

He noted that Lagos successfully implemented the Lagos Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (LAGMESS), a move that helped avert industrial action in the health sector and improve remuneration for doctors and dental practitioners.

According to Ayantayo, issues surrounding contributory pensions involving the Association of Resident Doctors were also resolved in April 2026 through dialogue and engagement.

On human capital development, the commissioner disclosed that the ministry organised 54 training programmes between May 2025 and May 2026, benefiting more than 7,116 public servants across various cadres.

In a separate briefing, State Head of Service Bode Agoro announced that the state government paid a total of N8.04 billion to retirees under the Contributory Pension Scheme and Defined Benefit Scheme. The payment is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen workers’ welfare, improve pension administration, and enhance service delivery across the public service.

Agoro said the payment underscored the administration’s commitment to the welfare of serving and retired public servants, describing the public service as the engine room of governance and development in Lagos State.

He commended public servants for their dedication, resilience, and professionalism in sustaining effective governance across the state.

According to Agoro, the Office of the Head of Service recorded major milestones in staff welfare, pension administration, housing support, innovation, procurement reforms, and workforce development during the period under review.

Agoro disclosed that 4,837 newly recruited officers across various cadres were uploaded into the Soft Suite database and deployed to relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies, while 38 political appointees were also integrated into the system.

He added that 185 newly recruited and converted Administrative and Human Resource officers underwent familiarisation tours to core establishment ministries to strengthen their understanding of public service operations.

Agoro further revealed that Governor Sanwo‑Olu approved the appointment of 25 substantive directors on Grade Level 17 as Permanent Secretaries and Tutors‑General in the Lagos State Public Service.

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