Makinde promises to pay N70,000 minimum wage

By Adeola Badru 

Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has announced that his administration will begin the payment of the N70,000 minimum wage once the issue of consequential salary adjustment is resolved. 

During the 2024 World Teachers’ Day Celebration, held at the NUT (ENDWELL) Model College Sports Complex in Ibadan on Saturday, the governor also revealed an extension of the N25,000 wage award to workers and a N15,000 wage award to pensioners for an additional three months. 

This extension, he said, is intended to cover the period during which negotiations on the consequential adjustment will occur. 

The governor emphasised that the payment of these wage awards will cease upon the completion of negotiations aimed at effectively implementing the minimum wage.

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Governor Makinde stated, “Negotiations will start next week, and we will pay the N70,000 minimum wage. However, the consequential adjustment is currently under negotiation. The NLC and our team will engage in discussions.”

He praised teachers in the state for their significant support during the last election and their crucial contributions to the development of Oyo State. 

The governor reiterated his commitment to prioritizing the welfare of teachers and all civil servants to ensure their continued productivity.

Highlighting education as a fundamental pillar of his administration, Governor Makinde pledged to improve educational infrastructure, enabling teachers to impart knowledge in a conducive environment and thus secure a brighter future for the state.

“I want to express my gratitude to the teachers. Throughout my campaign, you mobilized and supported us wholeheartedly. Thank you,” he remarked. 

Makinde acknowledged the challenges faced by the country, including issues related to minimum wage and fuel prices, encouraging resilience by stating, “Tough times don’t last, but tough people do. We will overcome these challenges.”

The governor further emphasised, “Any country that aspires to develop must educate its people. In Oyo State, we will continue to prioritize our teachers, as they shape our future.”

He acknowledged the need for significant investments in education, stating, “When we assumed office, we were spending about N3 billion annually on infrastructure, totaling approximately N15 billion over the last five years.”

“However, this is merely a drop in the ocean compared to the estimated N70 billion gap we need to fill.”

To address this, he announced plans for an annual education intervention fund of at least N10 billion, alongside the hiring of more teachers and ensuring they work in conducive learning environments to achieve better outcomes for students.

While commissioning a block of 10 classrooms built by the NUT at the NUT Model School, the governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to improving inner roads, particularly within the Owode Housing Estate.

In his address of welcome, NUT state Chairman, Comrade Raji Ismail, expressed gratitude to the governor for his “unprecedented achievements in the education sector” and his attention to teachers’ welfare through career progression, regular salary payments, promotions, leave bonuses, and healthcare insurance.

Comrade Kayode Martins, Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in the state, also conveyed a goodwill message, assuring that the governor is committed to implementing the minimum wage as expected.

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