Makinde Boosts Pensions Jobs And Training In Oyo

The Oyo State government is stepping up efforts to improve the welfare of civil servants and pensioners.

Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration is taking clear steps to support both active and retired public workers through increased payments, new training plans, and ongoing reforms aimed at strengthening the workforce.

The details came during the Omituntun 2.0 Inter-Ministerial Briefing held on Monday. Professor Salihu AbdulWaheed Adelabu, the Commissioner for Establishments and Training, explained that the government has increased the monthly payment of gratuities to retirees from ₦206 million in 2019 to ₦1 billion as of May 2025. This monthly sum is being paid to retirees in both the mainstream service and among secondary school teachers. In addition, another ₦1 billion is being paid monthly to retired workers from local governments and primary schools. Since the governor assumed office in 2019, over ₦13 billion has been released to settle backlog payments, benefitting thousands of retirees.

The improved payments are part of a broader effort to ensure that all pension debts are cleared before Governor Makinde’s second term ends in 2027. The administration is also working to make pension processing faster and more transparent. The retirement form fee of ₦4,000 was cancelled in late 2024, and by mid-2025, the state had fully switched from cheques to electronic payments. The documentation process is also being digitised to reduce delays and human error.

The government is also investing in the professional growth of its workforce. A new ISO-based model is being introduced to improve performance and work ethics across ministries. A database is being created to assess staff training needs and skill shortages. The plan is to direct resources towards the right training for the right people.

New hires are also being brought into the service. Junior staff have been recruited into key areas, including the Ministries of Justice, Agriculture, and Lands. Other departments like the Library Board, Youth Development Agency, and the Surveyor General’s Office also received new staff, covering roles such as clerical officers, secretaries, field workers, and watchmen.

The administration is also focusing on giving officers better chances to grow in their careers. Promotion and confirmation exams have been conducted regularly. In 2023, 58 officers participated, and the number grew to 82 in 2024. This reflects stronger interest in career development among workers. There has also been approval for new schemes of service. Primary school teachers can now progress to Grade Level 17, and the road traffic officer cadre has been expanded to allow for more specialised roles.

Work titles have been updated to match current professional standards. For instance, information officers now hold the title of Information and Public Relations Officers, and environmental health officers have been reclassified under a more modern framework.

Throughout all this, staff welfare remains a top priority. From May 2023 to May 2025, over ₦340 million was paid in salaries to staff in the ministry, and over ₦11 million was released as leave bonuses. Payments have been made promptly to ensure workers remain motivated.

To maintain peace in the workplace, the ministry serves as the link between the government and labour unions. Issues like disputes and unpaid dues are being addressed quickly to avoid breakdowns in communication. Union leaders have been praised for their cooperation in resolving matters peacefully.

Governor Makinde’s administration has also approved the professionalisation of the human resource function in public service. This is part of a bigger reform to build a more modern and capable civil service.

The ministry is also pushing for education and self-improvement. Staff are being encouraged to pursue further studies. Those interested are being granted in-service training and study leave without pay. The ministry also supports student internships to give young people real-world experience in government offices.

With these efforts, the state government is laying down a solid foundation for a public service that can deliver better results. As political campaigns begin to take shape, officials are calling on labour unions to stick with peaceful dialogue and avoid conflict.

The briefing was attended by top ministry officials, including the Permanent Secretary, Mr Taiwo Mustapha, who joined the commissioner in outlining the achievements so far and what lies ahead for Oyo State’s workforce.