By Michael Ofulue Osogbo
Osun State public servants have endorsed Governor Ademola Adeleke for a second term, commending his administration’s efforts in improving workers’ welfare and addressing longstanding financial obligations.
The endorsement came during the 2026 Workers’ Day celebration, held in Osogbo, where members of the public workforce, alongside labour leaders, gathered on the platform of the Nigeria Labour Congress-led Joint Labour Movement.
Addressing the gathering, Governor Adeleke reaffirmed his commitment to prioritising workers’ welfare, describing them as the backbone of the state’s development.
He noted that since assuming office in November 2022, his administration has focused on prompt salary payments, pension reforms and better working conditions.
Governor Adeleke stated that one of the landmark decisions of his administration was the implementation of a new minimum wage exceeding ₦75,000 for civil servants, aimed at improving their standard of living and ensuring fair compensation.
He further disclosed that over ₦50 billion in pension arrears and outstanding obligations inherited from previous administrations had been cleared.
He further enthused that significant progress has also been made in settling half salaries owed to workers and addressing pension liabilities accumulated over more than a decade.
The governor insisted that despite financial challenges, particularly issues relating to local government allocations, his government has continued to ensure the regular payment of salaries for local government workers, as well as allowances for traditional rulers.
In the area of civil service reforms, the governor highlighted the restoration of the position of Permanent Secretaries and the full implementation of previously approved promotions that lacked financial backing.
Ahead of the forthcoming governorship election, Adeleke appealed to workers to support his re-election bid, stressing that continuity is necessary to sustain the gains recorded in workers’ welfare and governance reforms.
Also speaking at the event, the state Controller of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Engr. Adeyemi Ali, who represented the minister, Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, described Nigerian workers as the backbone of the nation.
Speaking on the theme, ‘Insecurity and Poverty: The Bane of Decent Work,’ Ali said that the focus aligns with the priorities of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, particularly in areas of national security, job creation, youth empowerment, inclusivity and food security.
He added that the Federal Government remains committed to wage reforms, noting that the recently implemented minimum wage is only a step toward ensuring fair and dignified earnings for workers.
In his remarks, the chairman of the NLC in Osun State, Dr. Christopher Abimbola Arapasopo, commended Governor Adeleke for his worker-friendly policies, infrastructural development and people-oriented programmes.
He declared that the state workforce would continue to support the governor, describing Osun as a model among Nigerian states in terms of labour relations.
The labour leaders later presented an affirmation award to the governor.