Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has approved an additional ₦50,000 to state workers’ salaries for May.
The move is part of efforts to cushion the prevailing economic hardship, particularly the impact of rising fuel prices.
The governor announced this during the 2026 Workers Day celebration themed “Insecurity, Poverty: Bane of Decent Work”, held on Friday at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan-Lagos.
“Our job has always been to make sure that the city we are building is also a city that works for you,” the governor said.
“We know that the prices of fuel are rising. We know we did not cause the war in Iran, but we are feeling its impact. So this government has made the decision that for this May, there will be an additional ₦50,000 for every worker in Lagos State, irrespective of grades – ₦50,000 across the board.”
Sanwo-Olu reiterated that the intervention, which will be reviewed, underscores his administration’s resolve to ensure that Lagos remains not only a functional city but one that works for its residents, especially the workforce that drives its growth and development.
The governor, represented by Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat, emphasised that the welfare of workers remains central to his administration’s agenda, adding that the government will continue to deploy sustained support measures to ease economic pressures and improve living conditions.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to addressing structural, policy, and moral challenges affecting the workforce, noting that the realities faced by workers require deliberate and measurable action rather than rhetoric.
According to him, the administration has spent the past seven years systematically tackling these challenges through targeted interventions aimed at improving welfare, dignity, and productivity.
He cited issues such as long commuting hours, housing affordability, and delayed retirement benefits as structural and moral concerns being addressed through policy reforms.
Sanwo-Olu stressed that public servants are regarded not as a budget line or political bloc but as the living infrastructure of Lagos State.
He also highlighted key reforms and investments across sectors, including the implementation of the highest minimum wage in the country, expansion of healthcare coverage through the Lagos State Health Management Authority, and the introduction of the Ilera Eko Easy Pay system to ease health insurance payments for residents.
On pensions, he said the Lagos State Pension Commission has intensified timely payments, disbursing over N1 billion to retirees while introducing free first-year post-service healthcare and pre-retirement support initiatives.
Speaking further, Sanwo-Olu commended the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) for their constructive engagement, noting that while discussions may not always be seamless, the government remains committed to open dialogue and sustained collaboration with labour unions.