Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Thursday, said the State Government remains committed to rewarding diligence and service.

Makinde decried the exploitation and underemployment by some members of the organised private sector, attributing it to a decline in productivity.


In his speech at the 2025 Workers Day rally, held at the Main bowl of the Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan, the state capital, he said payment of unjust wages has made it difficult for workers to achieve financial stability or economic development.

Represented by his Deputy, Bayo Lawal, the governor said, “Many of them toil under harsh and unsafe conditions, dedicating countless hours to their jobs with compensation that fails to reflect their efforts, especially in the private sector. Unfortunately, these situations lead to apathy and withdrawal from civic participation. These realities push some of the labour leaders to continuously advocate for fairness, dignity, and respect in all workplaces. Coincidentally, in this state, there is freedom of expression.

Earlier, in his address, the Chairman of the Nigerian Labour Congress, Comrade Kayode Martins, commended the governor for the approval of the N80,000 minimum wage and its monthly prompt payment.
Martins, however, appealed to the governor for upward review of monthly subvention to the MDAs and the state-owned tertiary institutions.

