Ogun State Government Spends N179.7 Billion on Pensions, Gratuities, and Worker Welfare Since 2019
Ogun State Government Spends N179.7 Billion on Pensions, Gratuities, and Worker Welfare Since 2019
Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, announced that his administration has disbursed a total of N179.7 billion to settle pensions and gratuities for both state and local government retirees since taking office in 2019. Speaking at the 2025 Workers’ Day Celebration held at the Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta, he highlighted significant strides in clearing pension backlogs and improving workers’ welfare.
The governor disclosed that the pension backlog from 2012 to 2017 has been fully cleared, alongside outstanding remittances for the National Housing Scheme, facilitating easier access to mortgage loans for beneficiaries. He further noted that approximately 12,500 workers have benefited from car and motorcycle loans, with the administration increasing the loan fund to N1.6 billion to support workers.
“We have made deliberate efforts to deepen our partnership with labor to improve working conditions and welfare,” Abiodun stated. “Since 2019, we have cleared pension arrears, and pensions are now paid alongside salaries. We have disbursed N179.7 billion for pensions and gratuities, and the backlog of National Housing Scheme remittances has been cleared.”
The governor also revealed that N8 billion was allocated as palliatives to state workers and pensioners between July 2023 and March 2024 to cushion the impact of fuel subsidy removal. Additionally, he announced the acquisition of 350 hectares of land at Ijemo/Onisela for a Sites and Services Scheme, aimed at helping workers become property owners through mortgages. This initiative will be named the Prince Dapo Abiodun Bureaucrats Estate and will include infrastructure such as roads, water, and electricity to support property development at reduced costs.
Expressing appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Abiodun acknowledged federal efforts to reposition Nigeria’s economy, noting that inflation and prices are gradually declining while economic growth resumes. He emphasized that collaboration between the state government and workers has made Ogun a model for innovation, enterprise, and human capital development, positioning the state for sustainable growth.
The governor called on workers to continue their diligent service, emphasizing the importance of their role in economic revival and infrastructure development across urban and rural areas. He assured that the government is aware of the economic challenges facing the populace and is actively working to address them.
In his remarks, the Federal Controller of Labour in Ogun State, Mr. Andy Egbor, commended Ogun’s approach to workers’ welfare as exemplary and urged collaboration with the federal government to enhance worker benefits. Ogun Labour Chairman, Mr. Hameed Benco, highlighted the economic hardships faced by workers, urging the government to focus on affordable housing, fair pricing, and interest-free loans to alleviate difficulties.
Similarly, TUC Chairman, Comrade Akeem Lasisi, described the celebration as a fight against oppression amid ongoing insecurity challenges from Boko Haram, banditry, kidnappers, and herdsmen. He lauded the state government for its interventions, including timely pension payments, loan schemes, bonuses, reduced food prices, and timely promotion exercises, recognizing these efforts as crucial to workers’ welfare.
