To mark International Workers’ Day, thousands of workers in Lagos State defied the rain on Thursday and gathered at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, for a celebratory parade.
The event, themed ‘Reclaiming the Civic Space in the Midst of Economic Hardship’, brought together various labour unions in a show of unity and resilience.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu at the event reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to prioritising workers’ welfare.
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He emphasised that Lagos remained the sub-national entity with the highest wage structure in Nigeria.
“Lagos State will continue to lead in public service excellence,” the governor said.
“Throughout the negotiations for a new minimum wage, we fulfilled every promise made to our workers. Lagos is currently the highest paying state in the federation.”
Sanwo-Olu highlighted consistent and timely salary and pension payments, promotion exercises, and enhanced training as key indicators of his administration’s commitment to workforce development.
He urged workers to remain patient with the economic reforms being implemented by the Federal Government, expressing optimism that President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda was beginning to yield positive results, particularly in the agricultural sector.
“Let us celebrate not just with songs and salutes, but with a renewed spirit of solidarity. Let us recommit to building a country where every hand finds purpose and every labour receives its reward,” Sanwo-Olu added.
However, Commissioner for Establishments and Training, Afolabi Ayantayo, commended the administration’s proactive stance on wage improvements.
He noted that Lagos had implemented a new minimum wage of N85,000—the highest in the country.
Ayantayo stressed the need for worker welfare to extend beyond pay, advocating for safe and empowering work environments.
Meanwhile, Labour leaders welcomed the governor’s efforts but called for further adjustments.
Chairperson of the Lagos chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Funmi Sessi, thanked the implementation of the new wage but appealed for an upward review to N100,000 in light of rising inflation and living costs.
“Our take-home pay is being eroded by soaring prices. A further increase would not only cushion the hardship but also boost productivity and internally generated revenue,” she said.
Also, Chairman of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in Lagos, Gbenga Ekundayo, called for urgent action to reduce electricity tariffs, warning that the new pricing model—classified into Bands A, B, and C—had severely impacted households and small businesses.
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“We urge the governor to invest in local electricity generation and distribution. Many workers can no longer afford their bills. This is not the Nigeria we strive for,” he said.
Head of Service, Bode Agoro, encouraged workers to remain resolute and relevant amidst economic adversity.
He described Sanwo-Olu as a listening leader committed to providing a secure and enabling environment for public servants.
