Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of the Sunshine State (Ondo) has restated his administration’s commitment to the well-being of public servants, unveiling a series of policies aimed at improving the lives of workers and retirees.
Speaking during the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration held at the Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Arcade in Akure, the governor praised the workforce for its enduring contribution to the progress and stability of the state.
In his address, Governor Aiyedatiwa emphasized that the achievements recorded by his administration were rooted in the dedication of workers across all sectors. He acknowledged the invaluable roles played by teachers, health professionals, administrators, and other public officers in delivering services to the people of the state. He described workers as the foundation upon which government service delivery rests.
Highlighting key interventions, the governor disclosed that Ondo State had raised its minimum wage to N73,000—above the national threshold of N70,000—while also implementing regular pension payments of N30,000 to retirees. He further revealed that the state had cleared a backlog of three years’ gratuities owed to retired public servants and local government workers, a move widely applauded by labour unions present at the event.
In a move to strengthen the public service, the governor announced the recruitment of over 3,000 workers, including more than 2,000 teachers deployed across various schools in the state. He noted that the 2025 promotion exercise for civil servants was already in progress and assured workers that career advancement and job security would remain key priorities under his leadership.
Aiyedatiwa pledged that the state would continue to allocate resources to education, healthcare, and workforce training, saying his administration would not allow political interests to interfere with its obligations to workers. He called on civil servants to continue upholding principles of integrity, hard work, and professionalism, which, he said, are critical to good governance and sustainable development.
The Chairperson of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Ondo State, Comrade Ademola Olapade, expressed appreciation for the governor’s proactive approach to labour issues. She highlighted the significance of the new wage approval, recent promotions, and the teacher recruitment drive. She also urged the government to restructure Owena Press PLC, publishers of The Hope newspaper, by granting it a status upgrade similar to that of other state-owned media organizations to ensure a more defined career path for its employees.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Clement Fatuase, commended the administration for its steady support to workers, noting improvements in education, infrastructure, healthcare, and security. He described the government’s collaboration with labour as respectful and constructive, particularly in the implementation of a people-focused program.
The event was attended by dignitaries including the Deputy Governor, Dr. Olayide Adelami; the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji, represented by Majority Leader Hon. Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi; and the Head of Service, Mr. Bayo Philip, who encouraged workers to remain dedicated.
